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Louise, Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences: Advize Career Interview
A career in exhibitions offers diverse and rewarding paths, as evidenced by the Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences.
A studio art and education background led to a multifaceted career journey, starting with hands-on roles in print studios and art installation, progressing through a preparator position, and culminating in overseeing all exhibition logistics.
This exciting role blends project management, collaboration with artists and curators, meticulous detail work, and a fast-paced environment requiring flexibility and problem-solving.
The interview highlights the importance of strong teamwork, a detail-oriented approach, and creative thinking.
A key takeaway is that a successful career in the arts can stem from varied experiences, defying the narrow stereotype of a sole artistic path.
The interview also stresses the importance of work-life balance and nurturing professional relationships. Mentorship and the collaborative nature of the museum field are emphasized, inspiring students to pursue similar opportunities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Louise Leong
Head of Exhibitions
UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences
University of California Santa Cruz, 2012
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Fine Arts, Music
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences Institute
Louise's career path, beginning with a studio art undergraduate degree and education minor, involved diverse roles—from working in a print studio and art supply store ("selling printmaking papers and tools helped...give me a leg up") to art installation at a community hospital, where museum registration skills were developed. This ultimately led to a preparator position at a university academic gallery, culminating in their current role as Head of Exhibitions, showcasing how seemingly disparate experiences ("even working in the movie theater") built upon one another.
Main Responsibilities of a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences
Louise's role as Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz involves "project management" encompassing all exhibition logistics, from collaborating with curators and artists on installation ("sculptural works or immersive installations") to coordinating shipping and handling of art pieces, managing a team, and ensuring smooth transitions between back-to-back exhibitions. This builds upon prior experience as a preparator, showcasing a career progression from hands-on installation to overseeing the entire exhibition process.
A Day In The Life Of A Head Of Exhibitions At UC Santa Cruz Institute Of The Arts And Sciences
A Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences' workday is a dynamic mix of collaborative problem-solving—"something will come up where it's like the artist needed this thing"—and meticulous project management, involving "finalizing fabrication things," coordinating with vendors, and ensuring a tight timeline for exhibition installations and openings. The role demands a proactive approach, juggling multiple projects simultaneously to ensure everything falls into place, from supply runs to meetings with artists and overseeing the technical aspects of exhibition preparation.
Most Important Skills for a Head of Exhibitions at UCSC Arts and Sciences
Louise, Head of Exhibitions, emphasizes the importance of "flexibility" and "being a good multitasker" alongside strong detail-orientation and prioritization skills for success in their role. The ability to collaborate effectively and maintain composure under pressure, creating positive professional relationships, is equally crucial, as "the work might always be kind of crazy".
Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences
Louise's favorite aspects of being Head of Exhibitions include the intellectually stimulating and creatively challenging problem-solving, collaborating with a "great team" to achieve "a job well done," and the constant learning and laughter that are part of the role. The work's continuous improvement aspect, striving for "better" outcomes, is deeply satisfying.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Louise's biggest challenge as Head of Exhibitions is the fast-paced environment with "multiple projects, multiple people, a lot of different time constraints," requiring constant flexibility and creative problem-solving to adapt to unforeseen challenges and shifting priorities, even if it means scrapping plans and starting over. This demanding but stimulating role necessitates a capacity for rapid adaptation and resilience in the face of unexpected setbacks.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Museum Industry As A Head Of Exhibitions
Louise, Head of Exhibitions, enjoys the collaborative nature of the museum profession, emphasizing the "generosity" of colleagues and the strong relationships built through shared expertise and problem-solving, describing the field as "relationship driven" where "circles are kind of small" and opportunities for creative expression abound. The strong sense of community extends to even seemingly superficial aspects like appreciating "what people wear" at museum conferences.
What Type of Person Thrives In The Arts And Culture Industry According To A Head Of Exhibitions At UC Santa Cruz Institute Of The Arts And Sciences
Louise, Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences, identifies key traits for success in the exhibition industry: "detail-oriented, creative thinkers, problem solvers," who are also "collaborative" and "on top of it," demonstrating reliability and trustworthiness in a detail-heavy field. This combination of skills and positive work ethic makes these individuals valuable team players and assets to any organization.
What a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Museums and Arts Industry
Louise, Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences, wishes they had known about the diverse career paths available beyond the "very narrow" artist stereotype— "if you study art, you're gonna become an artist, and if you don't become an artist, you're a failure"— and that "my job existed," highlighting the value of diverse skills and on-the-job learning in a field where a traditional pedigree isn't always essential.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Exhibition Professionals
Entry-level roles in exhibitions include preparators, art installers, and registrars—individuals who "track the art objects" and manage logistics. Louise's career path, starting as an art handler and preparator, highlights the value of hands-on experience, emphasizing that even a Head of Exhibitions benefits from "knowing how to do everything," enabling better communication and project management.
Significant Career Lesson From A Head of Exhibitions At UC Santa Cruz
Louise, Head of Exhibitions, learned a significant career lesson about work-life balance, particularly in the wake of the pandemic: "don't work yourself to death," a realization underscored by a stress-induced illness that highlighted the importance of prioritizing relationships and well-being over professional accomplishments, even while maintaining a love for the work itself.
College Experiences That Helped a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Succeed
Louise's approach to success emphasizes cultivating and maintaining relationships with mentors, not just professors but also "staff who worked in the studios or in the wood shop," who believed in their creativity and offered support. This involved reciprocity, giving back to others as these mentors had supported Louise, exemplified by the simple yet effective gesture of "sending thank you notes."
How Identity Has Influenced a Head of Exhibitions Career at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences
Louise's identity as an Asian-American woman significantly shapes her career, particularly in a predominantly white field where representation matters; seeing someone like Louise "doing their thing and being professional" inspires others, and their first-generation college graduate status motivates them to build their own success and inspire similar backgrounds to do the same.
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