Rachel Shipley Blackwell (MFA 2025), reflects on her time in the School of Theatre and Dance and her work at the Charles Adams Studio Project.
Rachel Shipley Blackwell's connection to Texas Tech University goes beyond graduate school. As a third-generation Red Raider, she chose the School of Theatre and Dance (SOTD) out of a clear sense of purpose and her family connection to Texas Tech University: "I was born and raised in Texas, and I have always been passionate about championing art and artists here." She graduated with an MFA in Arts Administration in May 2025 and has since continued her long-standing passion for the arts through her work at Charles Adams Studio Project (CASP).
THEORY CONNECTS WITH PRACTICE
Among the things that set the program apart for Rachel was its combination of academic preparation and practical experience. “I appreciated the balance between academic theory and practical application that the degree plan provided,” she explains. That balance helped her to find her direction quickly into professional arts leadership after graduation.
She credits the faculty as a major reason why. Learning from professors including Dr. Divya Janardhan, Mallory Prucha, and Chris Kiley continues to shape her work: "I often find myself returning to concepts and case studies we discussed in class."
A HIGHLIGHT ON ASPIRE ARTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
One of the memories that stands out for Rachel during her time at Texas Tech was her participation in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program in Washington, D.C. Meeting arts leaders from across the country afforded her the opportunity to think more deeply about how she wanted to build her career in arts leadership:
"My experience in ASPIRE helped me define what my dream truly was, and now I get to live it by enriching the lives of my community through the arts every day."
DISCOVERING HER CREATIVE VOICE IN MARKETING
Rachel also served as the Marketing Manager at the SOTD Marketing Team during her time at Texas Tech, the same team responsible for producing the School's newsletter. The three years she worked there gave her the important opportunity to develop her leadership and creative skills while gaining practical experience in arts communication. Rachel worked across a variety of platforms, including social media and long-form video content. "My three years on the marketing team helped me to explore my own creative voice," she remarked, noting her pride in the projects the team completed and in the growth those channels saw as a result.
SERVING LUBBOCK AT CASP
Today, Rachel serves as Development and Program Coordinator at Charles Adams Studio Project (CASP), an organization located in the Downtown Lubbock Cultural District dedicated to supporting working artists and connecting the public with the arts. Her work includes technical writing, donor cultivation, marketing strategy, and connecting artists with resources.
Over the last 15 years, the organization has built and maintained studios that are open and accessible, offering artists space, specialized equipment, educational opportunities, and galleries. Its programming includes public workshops, the First Friday Art Trail, artist residencies, and fellowships.
For Rachel, behind it all is a simple guiding principle: "Community is at the heart of everything I do, which is what attracted me to CASP in the first place. I strive to empower and uplift the work of artists through the development of sustainable systems." She describes working alongside the arts leaders of the Lubbock Cultural District as a privilege and says she is always learning the skills it takes to be an effective arts administrator.
ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENTS
Asked what she would tell herself on her first day as an MFA Arts Administration student, Rachel keeps it short and practical: "To treasure my time in the classroom and to take lots of notes."
Her journey from MFA student and marketing manager to arts administrator at CASP demonstrates how the classroom, practical experience, mentorship, and community shape a career in the arts. For Rachel, the dream she began defining at Texas Tech is the one she is now helping to build within her community.
As for what she hopes her work leaves behind, her answer echoes the heart of the field: "I hope that my work helps bring the innate joy of the arts to the communities I engage with as a patron, administrator, and leader."