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Home » News » 2nd Year Arts Administration Internship Spotlight: Brielle Williams

2nd Year Arts Administration Internship Spotlight: Brielle Williams

Published October 15, 2018

In continuation of highlighting the work of second year graduate arts administration students, the department would like to introduce Brielle Williams!

As a second year student pursuing their master’s in arts administration, Williams has a passion for visual and performing arts with special considerations on implementing effective fiscal management strategies in small arts organizations.  

As a part of her internship this summer, Williams worked with 621 Gallery in Railroad Square right here in Tallahassee!  Williams was able to split her internship credits and time between 621 and the College of Fine Arts where she work as a Recruitment Assistant for the Art Education Department.  Williams states:

“I chose to work with 621 after seeing the “Save 621” campaign on social media, perhaps I am drawn to a challenge, but I figured that my skills and educational background would be of most use to this organization.  621 is unique in that it is a non-profit gallery which means that while 621 does sell the artwork they show, it is not a focus or a necessity for the survival of the organization.  This unique model allows the gallery to show experimental, nontraditional, and often cumbersome pieces that many galleries would not show because they would prove too hard to sell.  This model inspired me because they focus on developing successful artists and cultivating a love for the arts in Tallahassee.  Over the summer there I worked on grant writing, program development, event coordinating, and board development. 

My positions this summer have afforded more freedom than any other position I have held.  I have had the education and experiences to cultivate skills that make me an asset to my team which has granted me such freedom.  For example, my work with the College of Fine Arts is largely data driven and analysis; skills that are not readily found within communities of artists.  Another example of this freedom and trust in my abilities was a project that I worked on for 621 that involved reconciling bank documents in QuickBooks.  Many organizations would not dare to give an intern full access to their QuickBooks account because it contains sensitive information that can change the balance sheet drastically if done incorrectly.  However, because I have an understanding of finance, the Executive Director only needed to give me a quick tutorial of the QuickBooks portal before leaving me to reconcile the year’s finances in preparation for submitting the documents to the organization’s accountant for the taxes. The accountant made a remark after he finished the taxes that he was able to complete them in record time because the QuickBooks account was kept up to date and was organized very efficiently. 

William’s previous experience working in higher education allowed the position in the College of Fine Arts to feel like a seamless transition and opportunity to combine her passion for the arts with her experience working in administration at universities.  In reflection of her experience this summer, Williams notes:

“I have been so grateful to be able to be a part of recruiting quality candidates to the College of Fine Arts and ensuring the best experiences for our students.”

The department commends and congratulates Williams 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.