ARTSwego’s new director of arts programming is the familiar face of Lowell Hutcheson, who looks forward to continuing the excellence of arts programming this spring and beyond.

In this current role, Hutcheson plans to champion the arts on campus, leveraging her own experience and what she has learned in her studies. 

“I believe that arts integration in education contributes positively to the overall educational experience, in which students learn creativity, problem-solving skills and emotional resilience, which prepares them for success post-graduation,” Hutcheson added.

Serving as director of ARTSwego involves much more than booking and administering the acts that audiences enjoy through the ARTSwego Performing Arts Series. It also involves coordinating support for campus arts events through an annual ARTSwego funding program (with an upcoming March 18 deadline) and Flexible Funding small-grant opportunities on a rolling basis, as well as co-hosting the Ke-nekt' Chamber Music Series, administering the university’s Artist-in-Residence Program and serving as a marketing hub for campus arts events.

For example, Hutcheson is working with departments across campus and community partners for an extensive residency when Actors From The London Stage come to town to perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

In addition to a 7 p.m. performance in Waterman Theatre on Feb. 15, troupe members will meet with 18 classes in courses across 10 academic programs at the university. The performers also will provide workshops for students in the upcoming "The Addams Family" theatre production; a range of SUNY Oswego theatre, psychology and graduate students; and Oswego High School theatre students.

ARTSwego is also working toward a March 6 performance by San Jose Taiko at 7 p.m. on March 6 in Waterman Theatre. This world-class ensemble, performing extensively nationally and internationally, brings a show inspired by taiko, the art of traditional Japanese drumming. 

Rich arts background

Hutcheson began at SUNY Oswego in 2018 as the arts programming coordinator before stepping into the role of assistant director of arts programming in 2022.

An arts administrator and creative who has been active in the arts since a young age, Hutcheson holds a master of arts in liberal studies with a focus on the arts in higher education from SUNY Brockport, and is passionate about the role of the arts in student success. 

ARTSwego exists as part of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts and the school's dean, Jennifer Knapp, applauded Hutcheson's "extraordinary commitment to furthering arts programming" since joining the campus.

"Originally recruited to help with the marketing and promotion of ARTSwego and university-wide arts programming, we learned quickly we were underutilizing Lowell’s talents," Knapp said. "Her leadership, communication style, collaborative nature and strategic thinking will help SUNY Oswego elevate its regional profile in regard to arts programming, but more importantly, provide current and future students opportunities to engage with professional artists from around the world. She is a great ambassador for the arts and SUNY Oswego, and we are proud to have her join the SCMA leadership team as the new director of arts programming." 

Hutcheson knows performing arts from the stage as well. Since 2022, she has been performing in the multimedia dance project, “The Weight of Water,” with ElectricGrit Dance, touring regionally in Upstate New York. 

She additionally holds a bachelor of arts in German and Slavic languages and literatures from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and occasionally serves as an adjunct instructor teaching courses in the German program at SUNY Oswego.

“I was initially drawn to working in the arts and arts administration because of my personal connection with the arts,” Hutcheson recalled. “The arts really helped me as a child, and the ability to communicate and connect through music and theater, as well as the supportive community I found, provided me with an invaluable outlet for self-expression and personal growth.”

Thus joining the ARTSwego team “felt like a return to my artistic roots, and provided a home for my passion for the arts,” Hutcheson said. She earned her master’s degree while working at Oswego, which gave her a deeper understanding of ways in which the arts can augment student learning. 

“I am passionate about advocating for the integration of the arts across all disciplines in higher education and strongly believe in their transformative impact on student achievement and post-graduation success,” Hutcheson said. 

Making connections

Building bridges across campus is her favorite part of the job.

“Witnessing the heightened engagement of students through workshops and masterclasses with artists is truly rewarding,” Hutcheson said. “I take pride in expanding our programming to include new departments and community organizations, fostering a more diverse and inclusive artistic community.”

Being able to expand the cultural offerings is also important, in terms of representation and understanding. 

“Seeing student reactions when their cultures are reflected on stage is incredibly rewarding and underscores the profound impact the arts can have on personal connection and cultural representation,” Hutcheson said. 

“I also thoroughly enjoy working with and mentoring students -- both our volunteers from Mu Beta Psi, as well as the ARTSwego interns and graduate assistants who contribute to the dynamic growth of our arts programs,” Hutcheson noted. “Another deeply fulfilling aspect is hosting local school children for matinées and workshops. Witnessing their excitement reinforces the vital role the arts play in inspiring the next generation.”

In leading ARTSwego forward, Hutcheson also wants the campus to realize that the shows on the stage are only part of the equation.

“One thing about ARTSwego that I don’t believe is widely known is that we host masterclasses and workshops with all of our artists, the vast majority of which are free and open to the public,” Hutcheson said. “This gives students, faculty and staff, and community members, the opportunity to engage directly with internationally recognized artists, gaining insights into their creative processes and techniques, and learning from leaders in the field. It also creates deeper engagement with the performances, as audience members have a better appreciation for the talent and hard work playing out on stage.”

For more information on the program and its offerings, visit the ARTSwego website.