Allison’s Story: What I Learned as an Arts Ignite Intern

Reflection by Allison, Arts Administration Intern

When asked to write a reflection for my first year as an Arts Ignite intern at NYSA, I was thoroughly stumped. For some reason, I find putting my thoughts to paper quite challenging—mainly because the experience was so wholly unique.

What would I tell people when they asked what I did for my job? I was involved with the program in so many ways, it often felt hard to define my role. But in the end, I truly believe what’s important are the lessons and values you gain from the whole. To describe what I’ve taken away in three words: curiosity, patience, and compassion.

Curiosity…
I didn’t know what to expect when I received notification that I had earned an interview with Arts Ignite. I seldom knew many things about the NYSA program, except that of which my friend told me; she, who had given me a referral. I knew it was a summer-long program full of arts and crafts, theatre games, and a few rambunctious kids here and there. I was certain that I was fit for the role, and after hearing I had successfully won the job, I was curious to see what lay ahead. What new cultures and customs would be introduced to me that I was unaware of before? What would I learn from this experience?

Patience…
In the first week of classes, I was thrilled to begin meeting the students and getting to know the other interns a little better. I hopped around from class to class, playing name games and introduction activities. Some students, especially those who had participated in the program before, were eager to get involved and get to know the other students and teachers. For some others, I noticed they found it quite difficult to find comfort in the program, especially those who’d never participated before or those who had relocated recently. I had hoped, with time, they’d find more warmth and community, and by the end of the summer, for many, they had.

Compassion…
The year of 2025 has been exceptionally important for NYSA considering our socio-political climate, as the spread of fear in our country grows more dire. With the defunding of the arts, creative educators often feel powerless, unable to help their students in the ways they need it most. While working with Arts Ignite this summer, I truly felt like I was making a difference by providing community, creativity, and a place for students to be themselves. Compassion, in every way, is a vital quality that surpasses all political obstructions.

Arts Ignite’s involvement in NYSA is exemplary of true compassion by providing a safe space for students to explore unfamiliar boundaries and find cultural fellowship in a structurally supported artistic community. I truly believe art is a unifying language that helps people recognize both a shared humanity and the unique value of their individual voices. Whilst working in a carefully designed support system, Arts Ignite introduced artistic practices to me that became a vehicle for resilience, empowerment, and belonging.