Nicole O’Connor (’17)

Nicole graduated from the Arts Administration program in 2017. Prior to moving to Boston, she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut. Nicole mentions that her experience in the program has inspired her to start her own business, Shanachie Studios (sean-uh-key), which focuses on the preservation of story and family legacy through photography and film.

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself and your artistic background before you joined the Arts Administration program?

I danced for about thirteen years when I was young, and participated in theater during high school. In my spare time, I enjoy hand making holiday gifts for families and going to art exhibits and shows.

I learned about the Arts Administration program when I started working at the university as a financial aid associate, and since I have always had a solid interest in the arts, it just felt like a good fit.

2. What inspired you to found the Shanachie Studios?

Shanachie is a Gaelic word for storyteller or historian and since I have such a desire to preserve stories for families and communities, I really wanted it to be a prominent part in my brand. I created Shanachie Studios as a result of my combined professional and personal experiences. I have a strong desire to not only help others recognize the value of their story, but to then preserve these experiences for future generations. For me, every individual and family has an experience that deserves to be heard, to be seen, and to be valued.

3. How did the Arts Administration program help with your entrepreneurship?

The program gave me the grounds to explore the possibilities, especially through the Cultural Entrepreneurship (AR789) class with Wendy (I don’t know if she realizes how helpful her class was for me). The class helped me to pull apart what my passions are, and to connect the dots. Her class encouraged me to think maybe I CAN do business with all these elements, maybe I CAN preserve stories and work with families, and be there for them through a visual means.

4. Could you explain to us the work you do at Shanachie Studios?

I break down Shanachie into three different areas: The first, I consider “milestone moments”, which are the big moments in your life, such as getting married, having a baby and celebrating your anniversary. The second piece is “family traditions”, the subtler experiences that you remember in the years to come. For example, golfing every Father’s Day or Mother’s Day with your parents and siblings, or baking holiday recipes with your grandparent each year. Then finally, I focus on “legacy projects”, which centers on documenting the life stories of older generations and preserving a family’s unique history. These projects frequently include interviews with current family members along with old family photographs and home video film clips edited into one video piece or photography series.

5. What were the challenges you faced when founding the studio, and how did you overcome them?

I think personally, the biggest challenge I had was taking the risk. It is hard to take that leap and start a business especially when you don’t know how it is going to go. What do I need to do to start a business? What is a DBA (Doing Business As)? How do I fund my business as well as market my services? Other areas included building my brand, website, and social media presence. It’s all still a learning process, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world!

6. How do you stay up to date on issues in the art world?

I personally stay up to date by keeping in contact with people that I went through the program with and in my industry. My husband is a commercial filmmaker, and quite a few of my friends own their own businesses as well. I also keep up with the trend on social media. As art administrators, I think it’s so important to support each other, and try to collaborate as much as possible. You never know who you may be inspired by people in your field, or in a different field.

 7. Do you have any advice for current and prospective students?

It is important to trust the process, and trust your journey. It is funny how sometimes things just fall into place. It can definitely be nerve-racking at times. Try to grasp as much as you can from those around you.

Interview conducted by Mia (Yixuan) Zhu