For the past six years Adjunct Assistant Professor Gretchen McIntosh (PhD, 2015) has guided students in the conceptualization and planning of an annual event attached to the course “Developing Arts Careers: Positioning Passion” (ART EDUC 5683). Committed to entrepreneurship and professional development experiences for students, McIntosh likes to take a “coaching” approach to this student-led event, as the intent of the course is to equip students with practical skills so they can launch their own creative careers after college. Students gain knowledge in the foundational areas of concept development, fundraising and donor relations, social media marketing, event planning and facilitation.
“This course was designed to be a bridge between what students learned through coursework and what may be expected of them once they enter the workforce,” said McIntosh. “My intent was to give them the freedom to explore, experiment and ultimately fail in order to learn the most within the constraints of the semester. I am so proud of all of the students and the projects they accomplished over the years.”
No stranger to entrepreneurship herself, McIntosh currently serves as executive director for SEALKIDS, Inc., a national not-for-profit committed to providing educational support for children with a parent actively deployed, a role which has expanded during her time there. AAEP wants to take this opportunity to thank Gretchen for her years of impact, and to remind her that she continues to be a valued member of the AAEP community.
