I am interested in Arts Management because I am a Fire Performer and “Flow” Artist! The flow arts, which is a form of prop manipulation fused with dance, is a newer art form whose modern origins only date back to the late 80’s. I primarily spin poi, but I also perform with contact staff, hoops, rope darts, various juggling props, and more (usually on fire or with LED lights)! The rise of events like Burning Man and the Electric Daisy Carnival have popularized the flow arts greatly, but it still remains in a “subculture” status. I want to tackle the flow arts from a management perspective to professionalize it. There are many benefits the flow arts can bring to people, far beyond its value as a fun and explorative art form. The flow arts are beginning to be recognized as an extremely effective tool for physical and mental therapy, which is a main reason I would like to bring the art to the public eye. There are not many flow artists (if any) who have a background in higher education, especially when it comes to management. There have been many “flow festivals” which are weekend long events dedicated to fostering the language and community of the flow arts, that have failed due to a lack of solid event planning. If more flow artists had management skills, I believe the ambitious goals of many of these young performers and teachers could be met.

I chose CSU because I learned about the LEAP program. I was a Philosophy major in my undergrad at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and my department advisor, Karina Beam, recommended this program to me because she is friends with an alumni professor. I felt that this degree was perfect for what I want to do with the flow arts because it broad enough for me to explore many different fields and professions but specific enough for me to focus on the arts and bring those skills wherever I choose to go.

My dream job would be to run a year round flow arts camp. Much like an athletics summer camp, where children spend several months honing their skills in a sport, my flow arts camp would exist to refine people’s skills in the flow arts, but it would be different in a few key ways. It would be year round, with various different programs that last for different time periods, including but not limited to a summer camp, and it would also be dedicated to fostering community health. I want to model the camp after Westwind, a campground on the Oregon Coast that offers various programs and services all geared toward educating people about the natural world as well as fostering community. I lived at that camp for a month as a class in my undergrad, and the experience was profound and unforgettable. Being able to run a place where other people could have such an amazing experience and could do it within the context of the flow arts would bring me indescribable joy.

Choosing which class has been the most meaningful to me is difficult. It would have to be a toss up between the Arts Leadership course in the LEAP department and the upper division Marketing course in the Journalism department. I value these classes highly but for two completely different reasons. The Arts Leadership course was fundamental in helping me understand myself as an arts leader and manager and I felt like I gained immensely important skills that I will be able to use in pursuing my goal as a Flow Arts leader and innovator. The Marketing course was crucial for me learning the hard truth that success in the arts takes more skills as a marketer than as an artist. When it really comes down to it, the only people who appreciate the intricacies of fire performance skill are those who perform with fire themselves. Anyone is impressed by fire spinners almost regardless of their skill level. Getting hired to perform or convincing people that you are qualified to teach or manage an event requires knowing how to present yourself as a professional. I feel I understand the “art of marketing” much more now, which is invaluable to my journey as a flow artist.

I believe management and leadership is something the flow arts and fire performance arts need to become more accepted in the public eye. There are some controversial connotations that events like Burning Man have, and I want to dispel some of those by creating more events focused on community health and wellness and by fostering a culture that values mindfulness. Approaching this art form by systemically researching management techniques is going to help make the culture of the flow arts more approachable to the average person. I want to “demystify” the flow arts and help people realize that there is so much more to them than simply a wild fire show. I want to use the management skills that I gain from this degree to make connections with different art forms and fields to show all the benefits of the flow arts. I think emotional and physical wellness is a huge concern on a global scale, and I believe that the flow arts can be a great way to help people overcome their struggles.