Ivory Lucas
Ivory Lucas - FSU Doctoral Student (Arts Administration) - Digital Narratives | English | Digital Narratives | November 14, 2019
Why FSU?
Attending FSU was a dream of mine that I never thought would be possible growing up as a child in South Ga. After obtaining my MBA here back in 2008, I decided I wanted to go back to get my doctorate.
Motivation to pursue a graduate degree
Working in higher education, I realized all of my mentors had terminal degrees. Several of my mentors expressed how important pursing my doctorate would later be beneficial in my career within higher education administration.
Importance of your research and work
My research is based on Entrepreneurship in the Arts. As a musician having a business background, I understood that there is a gap there. Furthermore, a common misconception that if you are an artist, you are probably a starving artist. I want to debunk this way of thinking and offer a different way of thinking through showing successful artist working entrepreneurial. The entrepreneurial spirit has been the foundation of this country and an expression of the American Dream. I believe my research merges business and art to create a beautiful collaboration where we all win. The beauty of artist endeavors colliding with business is a work of art in itself. Some artist see pursing profit as a negative stigma but I see it as necessity for survival even within the non-profit sector.
Career Aspirations
I hope to work in University administration and teach business courses to artists. I always found it fascinating that the president of my undergraduate university, Valdosta State University was an artist.
Advice for anyone considering graduate school
Tenacity is a necessity. Graduate school is challenging and requires sacrifices; keep your eyes on the prize.
Accomplishments during graduate career
In 2017, I present on the Unique Funding structures of the Arts in Florida at the Social Theory, Politics and the Arts Conference. Co-authored, We’ve shared a lifetime with one another using reflective visual/verbal journals to develop graduate student relationships.