For the past decade, the University of Houston's Arts Leadership program, nestled within the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, has served as a launch pad for aspiring arts leaders. Providing students with invaluable opportunities to thrive as innovators in their chosen paths, the program's influence spans across the country, offering a vast network for students to explore.

One shining example of the program's impact is Briar Koehl, ‘17, who credits her time at the Arts Leadership program for propelling her into the thriving Chicago arts scene. Koehl currently serves as Trusts, Estates & Private Client Manager, Museum Services & National Third Party Partnerships at Hindman, an internationally recognized fine art auction house.

As she embraced her new role in the Windy City, the program's teachings and support proved instrumental in shaping Koehl’s journey. She attributes much of her success to the energetic leadership of founding director Fleurette Fernando and the well-connected faculty. She said being plugged into the robust Houston arts community proved extremely beneficial to navigating the Chicago arts landscape.

“You build so many connections with Fleurette and within the city of Houston when going through the program, which is such an amazing hub,” Koehl said. “To be there with your professors that are all well connected within the city can open many doors and provide access, but also give you real life experiences from their stories. You can't really put a price tag on it.”

The Arts Leadership program has been a catalyst for students like Emily McWilliams, ‘18, inspiring them to pursue their passion further through higher education. As a testament to the program's impact, McWilliams is currently working towards a doctorate in arts administration at Florida State University.

McWilliams, who also spent time at the Children’s Museum of Houston, said the Arts Leadership program’s extensive curriculum helped her understand what a career in arts leadership actually entails.

“The ideas, theories, techniques, and tools we learned in my classes helped me in understanding how arts and nonprofit organizations are run. It also helped me to develop and bring new programs to my own work at the Children’s Museum,” McWilliams said.

A major advantage of the arts leadership program lies in its tailored approach, specifically designed to cater to the needs of working artists. Unlike conventional academic programs, the Arts Leadership program recognizes and embraces the unique challenges and aspirations of those already immersed in the creative world.

By acknowledging the demanding schedules and commitments that working artists face, the program offers flexible learning options, ensuring that students can balance their artistic pursuits with academic excellence seamlessly. This allows participants to continue honing their craft while gaining invaluable insights into the world of arts administration and leadership.

“I love that it is a working master’s program. I think that format really helps art professionals who want to further their academic studies and develop the skills needed to lead arts organizations,” McWilliams said. “The professors work in the Houston arts field scene during the day and use their knowledge and skills to teach the students in the evening.”

Kristen Turner, ‘18, another esteemed alumna of the Arts Leadership program, speaks passionately about the lasting impact this transformative journey has had on her career. Presently, Turner serves as the Director of Communications, Content and Digital Strategies of the San Diego Symphony.

She said the program's unique emphasis on cultivating a close-knit community of like-minded individuals from diverse industries proved to be a significant asset for her career. In this nurturing environment, she not only forged deep friendships, but established invaluable professional connections that continue to flourish even today.

“I still get freelancing gigs from all my friends that I've made in that program, from the teachers I taught with,” Turner said. “I mean, we just hired somebody who had one of my old professors from the UH program as one of her references.”

Koehl, McWilliams, and Turner are proof of the Arts Leadership program’s transformative force, propelling students into diverse and thriving arts careers while fostering lasting connections and equipping them with the tools to excel in arts administration.