Postcards from America’s Future Arts Leaders: Part 1

Posted by Emma Osore, Jul 31, 2018


Emma Osore

This summer, 12 Diversity in Arts Leadership interns from all over the country are working at arts nonprofits in New York City for ten weeks to explore and build skills in arts administration and leadership. In this post, six interns are profiled and later this week, six more! For 26 years, the Arts & Business Council of New York has been hosting the DIAL internship program as an investment in a more equitable arts management field.

London Carlisle

(He/Him)
Host Site: Free Arts NYC
Hometown: Lineville, Alabama
School and Major(s): University of Alabama, BFA in Acting
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: Touch the Sky by Kanye West
Best meal you’ve ever had: My mom’s chicken pot pie
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? John Boyega

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

DIAL has given me so many opportunities to grow. As a rising senior, having such opportunities is crucial to my future.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs?

I've learned that no matter how old or young you are, art has the potential to put a smile on your face.

How has it been living in New York City?

Awesome! Having so many food options is literally the best thing ever!

Most exciting moment since DIAL started?

GOING TO THE TONY AWARDS (!) with my DIAL business mentor.

Kaylee Ma 

(She/Her)
Host Site: MOMA PS1
Hometown: Plano, Texas
School and Major(s): Reed College, Majoring in Classics
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: Playinwitme (feat. Kehlani) – KYLE
Best meal you’ve ever had: Homemade mango and sticky rice with my friends
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? There's not enough East Asian actresses in the US to answer this question! (Which is to say, I'd probably play myself.)

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

I don't currently have the kind of connections that are often needed to get ahead in the workforce. Through the DIAL internship, I am able to build a network of people through which I can hopefully form professional relationships with and explore my career options.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs?

In a regular full time job, you won't have supervisors who will hold your hand or tell you what to do all the time. It's important to use your time management skills in order to structure how your workday looks and figure out what tasks you'll get done in a certain time frame.

How has it been living in New York City? 

It's definitely a culture shock after spending so much time in Portland, Oregon for college. It's an intense city but I'm certainly appreciative of the diverse communities here, and especially the robust arts and culture scene.

Most exciting moment since DIAL started? 

Finding out that my work ID will entitle me to free admission to other museums in New York!

Hillary Karl-otto

(She/Her)
Host Site: Arts & Business Council of New York
Hometown: Baldwin, New York
School and Major(s): University of Connecticut, studying Business with a minor in Art History
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: Armchair Expert with Dax Sheppard  
Best meal you’ve ever had: Ravioli from this one Italian place in Brooklyn
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? Letitia Wright

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

It was an opportunity to learn about different career paths and directions. Also, I have been able to network and learn more about how different education and career choices lead to various careers.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs?

I have learned how to organize and prioritize my tasks properly. It’s been challenging to get used to working in an office environment from my last role as a camp counselor.

How has it been living in New York City? 

It has been really fun being basically a train ride away from everywhere you need to go. The city also has a place for every niche you can think of, which is awesome!

Most exciting moment since DIAL started? 

Exploring the city and going to all the fun places in the city that I had never had the chance to go!

Tiana Raimist-Carter

(She/Her)
Host Site: The Moth
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
School and Major(s): Graduate of the University of Alabama, Majored in Music Industry, Visual Arts, Activism and Entertainment PR
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: Move Me by Mura Masa and Octavian
Best meal you’ve ever had: Authentic Vietnamese Pho in Saigon
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? Zoë Kravitz

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

As a recent graduate wanting to be bi-coastal between LA and NYC, this was the best time to grow roots in the arts/entertainment industry in New York and see if this is a city I could truly live and work in. Surrounding yourself in minority-based spaces is so crucial, especially coming from three years at a PWI (predominantly white institution), I felt this program uplifted and nurtured diverse voices and thinking while giving me an opportunity to gain experience in the arts in NYC.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs? 

I can do anything I put my mind to but live event production and music management spaces is where I belong and contribute the most thoughtful and insightful work.

How has it been living in New York City? 

I love the energy of the city and how many diverse spaces inhabit the boroughs. Commuting on the train is an ... experience; however, I've mastered the mean mug and walk with purpose.

Most exciting moment since DIAL started? 

Every jaw dropping reaction to me sharing my dream job as a tour manager for a Top 40 artist/boyband. There's always lots of shock and awe.

Ami Scherson

(She/Her)
Host Site: Kaufman Music Center
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
School and Major(s): Ohio University, majoring in Music
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: In My Feelings by Drake, or Hallelujah Junction by John Adams
Best meal you’ve ever had: My mom’s Karei no Nitsuke (stewed fish), with hot white rice.
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? There aren’t a lot of Asian/Latinx actresses that I know of, but I think it would be hilarious if Hasan Minhaj narrated my life.

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

With senior year coming up, I definitely want to learn more skills that I can use post-graduation in an arts administration job. In addition, networking and being surrounded by other passionate and hardworking people in my cohort has been a great experience.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs? 

Proofread. Proofread. Proofread! With grant writing and creating an email campaign, I’ve learned the importance of looking over your work two or three times just to make sure.

How has it been living in New York City? 

Super exhausting, but very fun. I currently live in Jackson Heights, Queens, which is such a wonderful experience. When I walk out of the train station, I hear all different languages and families hanging out together. It’s lovely!

Most exciting moment since DIAL started? 

Seeing Maria Schneider at the Birdland, hands down. That woman is a GENIUS.

R. Araceli Torres

(They/Them)
Host Site: WNYC/New York Public Radio
Hometown: Brighton, Colorado
School and Major(s): Aims Community College/University of Colorado@Boulder studying Sociology and Art History
Your “go-to” commuting song or podcast: Tarpuricusum Sarata (Captain Planet Remix) by Luzmila Carpio
Best meal you’ve ever had: I love Dim Sum, it's virtually impossible to find a place in Denver.  
Who would play you if you had a biographical film made? This is a hard one because of the limited amount of mainstream indigenous people in film but probably María Mercedes Coroy from Ixcanul.

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

DIAL is giving me the opportunity to connect with so many creatives and professionals inside and outside of the program. I value being in a cohort with other interns of color allowing us to hold each other in solidarity from issues still happening in the creative world. It reminds me that there are other aspiring professionals balancing their craft and work, while trying to change institutions for the better.

What have you learned since being at your host site? Have you had challenges or breakthroughs? 

I've learned that New York Public Radio is an essential organization centering New Yorkers and connecting them to the rest of the world. WNYC continues to evolve and improve in its many shows/department and through a rapidly digital world, WNYC is also synonymous with the podcasting world.

How has it been living in New York City? 

I'm living in Manhattan during the summer but ask anyone and I spend most weekends in the other boroughs (thank you unlimited Metro card!) NYC is as captivating as they’ve made it out to be and I'm fascinated by the ethnic enclaves as a reflection of people in the global diaspora. I can't get over the noise, but I'm a kid from rural Colorado.

Most exciting moment since DIAL started? 

I got to dance with one of the dancers at the Nick Cave exhibit, absolutely delightful!