Art Students Sculpt Their Future By Abby Reed

Jefferson Community and Technical College has recently paired with Spalding University to create a degree completion program specializing in arts administration. Dr. Amy Stewart, head of JCTC’s art administration program, is credited with establishing this program.

Art Administration teaches students how “art can function as business,” Stewart explains. “It covers everything from hosting a fundraising event to hosting an art exhibition.” The first semester Stewart gets to know her students and their interests takes them on outings at museums and venues around the city, and then the second semester Stewart uses her resources and connections to place the student in an internship at the venues they visited around Louisville. “I love getting to know every student personally and connect them to an individual who can further their ambitions,” Stewart says, “It’s my favorite part of my job.”

Stewart thrives in this position. “Amy Stewart’s background at the Speed and other professional venues enhance her credibility and helps students not only in the area of education but in career placement,” says associate professor Charlotte Hubrich. Stewart communicates with different galleries and exhibits in Louisville getting site visits, and recommending students for internships, “it requires a lot of hard work and dedication,” Stewart says.

And its not just dedication that makes Stewart the perfect person for this position, she also cares not just for her students, but for all the JCTC students who put forth an effort. “I mentioned to Dr. Stewart that I was an art major once in passing, and a few days later I received an e-mail from her inviting me to an outing to the Speed, “says JCTC student Torey Rasmussen.

It’s not just Amy Stewart who puts forth an effort in this program though, “our (JCTC) students are not afraid of hard work. Most of our students are on financial aid, so they don’t expect to be a curator on the first day (of an internship). They are willing to Xerox or run errands and on several occasions students have been asked to continue working after the internship is over.” The students get involved in other programs and often “bring a lot of creativity and insight to the table,” Stewart says.

This program not only enhances student’s abilities, but also helps our community. The students in this program are very diverse, coming from all types of ethnic and financial backgrounds. This impacts the stereotypical view of an art student, because the majority of these students are not Caucasian. It shows that not only people from wealthy backgrounds are interested in the arts.

The degree completion program through Spalding University allows students to transfer and carry over credits earned through internships. It allows students to “continue to find work in local art institutions” Stewart says. The program can really help disadvantaged students pursue a career they would not otherwise have pursued.

Amy Stewart always knew she loved the arts. She grew up in New York and led a very conservative life. Her parents required her to have a chaperone on dates, and after high school she was shipped to South Carolina to attend a private college. She majored in clarinet performance and minored in art, but after graduation she realized that her true passion was teaching the arts. “Finally as an adult I went back to school, by myself, against my father’s wishes,” Stewart says.

After completing her education, Stewart landed a job in art education at the J.B. Speed Art Museum. As her seminar grew in size she realized her passion for helping disadvantaged art students. Eventually a spot at JCTC opened in the fine art program and she jumped at the chance to merge her two passions into one job.

Amy Stewart’s dedication and passion for students and the arts has helped many excel in the art industry around the city. The art administration program is “open to anyone who has an interest in art,” Stewart says. As a first step, students should enroll in Art Administration 100. Stewart also invites anyone to come and visit her office located in the VTI building room 107. She is willing to help any student become involved in the arts, and encourages all interested students.