2nd Year Arts Administration Internship Spotlight: Katie Wawrzaszek
Wawrzaszek; Center
As our final second year arts administration internship spotlight the department would like to introduce Katie Wawrzaszek!
Wawrzaszek is a second year M.A. Candidate in Arts Administration, and was selected this past summer to be a External Affairs Intern at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC). In regards to her internship Wawrzaszek commented:
As I have spent the past 20 years or so of my life dancing, I have a great passion for improving the internal capacities and outward presence of dance organizations to ensure their longevity. I became interested in this internship as HSDC was celebrating their 40th year. I desired to gain experience from a company that is well established and widely recognized, but yet still prioritizing efforts to increase support, organizational clarity, and growth in branding. I did not want to work with an organization complacent with their current level of performance.
As an External Affairs Intern, Wawrzaszek reports that she worked with both the Development team and the Marketing team. Her regular responsibilities related to Development included Tessitura donor record maintenance, routine gift processing and acknowledgment, reconciliation of payment orders, and recording External Affairs meeting minutes. Wawrzaszek gained experience with Individual, Corporate, and In-Kind giving, and developed a FY End Appeal acknowledgment letter. Additionally, Wawrzaszek was responsible for updating and curating Board of Director orientation materials. She notes that less frequent responsibilities included detailing YE total giving of board members and examining budgets. Related to Marketing, she assisted with operations at HSDC’s Summer Series and donor cultivation events including Cocktails & Choreography, 40th Anniversary Spotlight Ball, Summer Intensive Showcase, and Chicago Magazine’s Fall Fashion Spread featuring Hubbard Street’s company members. Wawrzaszek additionally added:
As part of the internship, HSDC offered staff and intern outings and unlimited free classes at Lou Conte Dance Studio. We were also required to conduct a final presentation for our department and Senior staff related to the work we performed throughout the course of the internship. Research I have performed and presented for HSDC has been directly related to donor benefits, prospective donors, and audience engagement.
This position required knowledge of Tessitura, attention to detail, a capacity to work efficiently and individually as a team member, a passion for donor cultivation and stewardship, and an understanding of board-staff relations. Critical thinking and independence was valued, but staff members were highly willing to offer training, answer questions, listen to your concerns, and discuss your ideas.
This experience was all I could have asked for and then some. The staff and community attracted by HSDC are a true joy to work with and learn from. Additionally, Chicago is a great hub for arts and culture, and I recommend taking full advantage of the area while you are there!
For an inside look at a day in the life of an intern at HSDC, check out this blog!
For additional information regarding internships and other career opportunities at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, please refer by clicking here! If you’re interested in seeing HSDC live click here!
The department commends and congratulates Wawrzaszek for her work this summer! More information regarding the work of arts administration students and FSU’s master’s and PhD level arts administration programs can be found by clicking here.