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Frame of Reference | The Art of Returning: What I'm Learning Before Steinhardt Even Starts

The Art of Returning: What I’m Learning Before Steinhardt Even Starts

A long-held dream of mine has been to return to school for an MFA. It's lived quietly on my five-year planning lists for years—not pinned to a vision board, but never far from reach. For much of my career, though, I’ve been laser-focused on driving results in corporate marketing. The MFA felt like a luxury, something to revisit someday.

That changed when I stepped away from corporate life. The space gave me time not just to dream, but to research. I dug into MFA programs, called up my friend Josie who had pursued Creative Writing at The New School, and began really asking: What would I do with this degree?

As much as I revere artists and their work, I had to admit something: I'm not one. And though I love a good lecture hall, I’m not a traditional academic either. (Although being an adjunct someday? Still on the vision list!)

So I shifted my search and found something that lit me up in a new way: the MA in Visual Arts Administration at NYU Steinhardt. It hit all the right notes—arts, strategy, purpose, and the chance to bridge my business experience with a lifelong passion.

I applied this winter, was accepted in March, and will start this fall—part-time, so I can continue marketing consulting and perhaps take on a new role if the fit is right.

But here’s the thing: imposter syndrome doesn’t evaporate with an acceptance letter. So, in true Red Cross fashion (my first job—still one of my favorites), I’ve adopted the motto: Always Be Prepared.

Prepping for the Art World

Over the years, I’ve learned that preparation helps me find both confidence and clarity. In the lead-up to my MBA at Vanderbilt, I took accounting at a community college and even signed up for Math Camp. I don’t like to fake it—if I’m speaking, I want it to matter. I want to stand by my insights and decisions.

So I’m taking a similar approach now, as I step into this next chapter. Two things I’m doing to prepare:

  1. Reading: I stumbled upon a copy of Seven Days in the Art World and it’s been the perfect companion.

  2. Exploring: I’ve started spending time in New York’s gallery scene—not just museums—to get a better feel for the living, breathing world I’m about to enter.

Seven Days in the Art World: The Book That Found Me

Don’t you love it when the right book shows up at the right moment? In the laundry room of my UWS co-op, there’s a little community library, and one evening while waiting for the dryer to do its thing, I spotted Seven Days in the Art World.

I wasn’t sure what to expect—but I was immediately pulled in.

The book, written by Sarah Thornton, is a kind of ethnographic portrait of seven slices of the contemporary art world. These aren’t dry descriptions—they’re immersive, insider-y glimpses into spaces I haven’t yet inhabited. And that’s exactly what I needed: a way to dip a toe into a world I’ve admired from the outside.

Here’s what each chapter covers:

  • The Auction – A day at Christie’s with the Chief Auctioneer.

  • The Crit – A group critique session at CalArts, where student-artists present their work and get feedback.

  • The Fair – A behind-the-scenes look at Art Basel, one of the most exclusive art fairs in the world.

  • The Prize – The Turner Prize, a major contemporary art competition in the UK.

  • The Magazine – Inside Artforum International and how the media shapes the market.

  • The Studio Visit – An intimate look at an artist’s creative space.

  • The Biennale – A major international exhibition that blends curation, politics, and spectacle.

Each chapter stands alone but collectively gives a snapshot of an interconnected and often contradictory world—prestige, performance, vulnerability, power. For someone like me, bridging the business of art with its soul, it was the perfect pre-classroom syllabus.

Getting Out of the Museum and Into the Gallery

I’ve always been a museum person. The MoMA & Met have long been two of my favorite sanctuaries. But preparing for grad school means widening the aperture—so I’ve been exploring the gallery scene, which is surprisingly accessible (and free!).

Highlights So Far:

Pace Gallery – Robert Indiana Retrospective
This visit came through Vanderbilt’s alumni network, and what a treat. You might not know Robert Indiana’s name right away, but you’ve absolutely seen his LOVE sculptures in public spaces or all over Instagram. The exhibit was introduced by Emeline, the managing director of the Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative, who offered deep insights into his political and cultural messages.




Bonus tip: Climb the stairs to the rooftop of Pace Gallery to see drawings by none other than David Byrne of Talking Heads fame. Art surprises in every corner.

If You’re Gallery Hopping in NYC…

Here’s a starter list of spots I’m working into my visit rotation:

Looking Ahead

This next chapter feels both familiar and brand new. I’m still me—still curious, still caffeinated, still finding my way through this big, bold city—but I’m opening myself to new learning, new networks, and a deeper connection to the creative world that has always inspired me.

If you’re thinking about making a pivot, whether it’s toward the arts, back to school, or something you’ve kept on your five-year list, let me say this: the first step might be as simple as picking up the right book… or walking into the right gallery.

More to come from Steinhardt ... and beyond!







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