Kris Lewis
MA, Visual Arts Administration
Why I chose this graduate program:
I was confident that I would receive a well-rounded and unique experience with a balance of visual arts administration and business courses as well as being in the mix of New York's thriving arts and culture scene.
My favorite course at NYU:
Art and Artists in Urban Revitalization
If I had a blog it would be about:
Cultural differences between New York and Los Angeles
Why I went back to graduate school:
After graduating from college in '99 with a BA in Art History, I knew I wanted to go to graduate school, but was not sure what to study. Therefore, I spent many years working in various fields including photography, the entertainment industry and a nonprofit foundation. Six years later I was getting an itch to get back in the art world, so I began volunteering at a nearby museum and interning at a gallery for more experience. I stumbled upon the Arts Administration program at NYU and knew it was for me.
The worst gift I've ever received: Fruitcake
The most obscure research I've ever done:
Photographer, Joel Peter Witkin
The professor who influenced me the most:
Prof. Carlo Lamagna, Visual Arts Administration
What I do to de-stress:
yoga, take a walk along the Hudson or watch a bad comedy movie, like Anchor Man
A place I'd like to visit
Bilbao
My secret (academic) passion:
Architecture and creative writing
My favorite line from a song:
Don't let the blue eyes fool you
My biggest challenge:
Staying focused on one career interest - I have too many
After I graduate, I:
want to work as a consultant on the development and implementation of museum building projects domestically and internationally
Background Information
Where you grew up: Santa Monica, California
Graduation Year:
2007
Degree:
MA, Visual Arts Administration
Honors/Awards/etc.:
I had the remarkable opportunity to study cultural policy in The Netherlands and Vienna this past June with visual and performing arts administration students. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and converse with various arts administrators, policy makers and other field experts in the amazing setting of some of Europe's finest cultural institutions. I returned to the U.S. with a wealth of knowledge and a heightened interest in the arts administration field.
Community service/ work experience:
Since I have been in the program, I have had several valuable internships, including working as a program coordinator at the Arts & Business Council of New York; assisting in Corporate Partnerships in the Development Department at The Whitney Museum of American Art; and working in Development at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. While each internship experience has significantly contributed to my growth in the program, I am all the more confident in my abilities as an arts administrator. In addition, I have had the pleasure of working with Professor Carlo Lamagna (in the Visual Arts Admin program) as his research assistant. He keeps me busy with research, web creation and organizing student and faculty art exhibitions.