Faculty Friday: Marcia James
Get to know Marcia James, adjunct lecturer in Goucher's M.A. in Arts Administration.
Our "Faculty Friday" series highlights one faculty member from the Welch Center every Friday. We ask these faculty members about their career, their work, and what they love about Goucher.
This week's faculty member:
Marcia James
Adjunct Lecturer, M.A. in Arts Administration
Publishing Manager, Random House
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Baltimore, MD, and Richmond, VA, and now live in Phoenix, AZ.
How are you involved in the arts or arts administration?
I've worked in fundraising, mostly for the arts, for almost thirty years.
Tell us about your first job in the arts or arts administration.
My first job in arts administration was as the development assistant at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. It was a wonderful (and easy) introduction to fundraising because I was responsible for thank-you letters and donor benefit events—everyone likes to hear "thank you" in one form or another.
Do you have a favorite artist? If so, tell us about them.
It's impossible to choose a single favorite artist, but sculptor Louise Nevelson, composer John Harbison, and actor Gary Oldman would have to be on the list. They create new worlds for me. All good art does that, I suppose; perhaps I just like these worlds the best.
How do you enjoy the arts yourself?
I'm a classically trained pianist who didn't play for decades. I'm getting back into that now.
What's the best advice you have ever received?
Make time to reflect and make time to enjoy the arts the way you did before you worked in the field.
Tell us about a favorite hobby or passion of yours.
I love to write, a passion that my career in development allows me to indulge. Outside of my career, I've written some feature articles for magazines and a couple of articles for books. Publication isn't really the goal, however. The goal is to learn by exploring a subject and putting my observations and thoughts into words.
What's your favorite thing about Goucher's M.A. in Arts Administration program?
The inspiring students and faculty!