Thesis
The artist-administrator and their experiences in nonprofit arts organizations
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011501
Abstract
Nonprofit arts organizations often operate within a perceived divide between creative and administrative staff, with those areas being treated as separate functions. While there is substantial research on creativity and leadership, less attention has been given to individuals who work across both creative and administrative roles within arts organizations. This study examines the experiences of artists in administrative and leadership roles within nonprofit visual arts organizations. Using semi-structured interviews with twenty individuals across a range of organizations, this research focuses on how they navigate these overlapping identities and how their artistic backgrounds shape the way they approach administrative work. Interviewees were asked about their educational background, career path, artistic identity, as well as how they approach problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership in their day-to-day work. The interviews highlight how participants navigate these roles in practice. Paths into administrative work were rarely direct, artistic identity shifted continually over time, and creative problem-solving was part of everyday work. Many participants described the challenge of maintaining a creative practice alongside administrative responsibilities, especially in higher-level roles. By focusing on these lived experiences, this study offers insight into how artistic and administrative work intersect in practice and what individuals with artistic backgrounds bring to these roles.
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Details
- Title
- The artist-administrator and their experiences in nonprofit arts organizations
- Creators
- Nicolette A. Bonagura
- Contributors
- Pamela Yau (Advisor)Andrew Zitcer (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- v, 48 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Arts Administration; Arts and Entertainment Enterprise; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991022193096804721