Bolz Center for Arts Administration

10/20/2026

Students in the Wisconsin School of Business MHR 632 Arts Entrepreneurship class were visited this morning by interdisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Leslie Damaso. Leslie is the owner of Buttonhill Music Studio and Republic of Letters Bookstore in Mineral Point, WI and shared her life and career journey from the Philippines to the Midwest. Today's session was hosted and moderated by Bolz Center student, Leah Johnson, who also currently serves as the Assistant Theater Manager at the Mineral Point Opera House. Today's class was a beautiful full circle moment as the two first met when Leah was a kid growing up in nearby Dodgeville, WI, and Leslie became her voice teacher!

10/07/2026

Mandy Descorbeth’s passion for theatre was sparked at an early age. She enjoyed watching tv and film actors transform into character, perfecting their craft on screen and stage. In high school, theatre was her favorite class and the one that she looked forward to every day. Performance became her love, but would not be the only one.

This past summer, Mandy had the opportunity to join the Black Theatre United cohort, and intern with AKA NYC. Through this experience she learned about the business side of Broadway, and so found her second love of theatre through the lens of marketing.

Now as a student in the Wisconsin School of Business, Mandy is strengthening her previous skills in the arts, and also building new ones. After she graduates, she hopes to begin her post-Master's degree career with a Broadway agency and continue to represent and amplify the lives of others.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been enamored with the concept of acting and portraying someone you are not. It was so jarring to see actors in interviews

09/28/2026

Zhiyao Chang grew up in Shanghai, China and moved to the US when she was 16 years old. Soon after she pursued and earned degrees in Economics and Visual Studies on the east and gulf coasts, and then found permanence in the midwest as an Account Manager for Open Kitchens in Chicago, IL. A business professional who is also deeply committed to the arts, her passion for culture and creativity has always been a driving force in her life, and the opportunity to combine this with her knowledge and experiences in operations and management brought her to the Bolz Center this year.

When she’s not spending time in our classrooms in the Wisconsin School of Business, or working with our colleagues in the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture, Zhiyao is most likely out and about exploring art spaces and making new people connections throughout the city of Madison. She also focuses her time on her own project, Kaleidowanyi, which represents embracing all types of art. After graduation, Zhiyao will continue to engage with her artistic practice and also concentrate on a career in a museum or gallery setting. With a degree in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership, she’ll be one step closer to making that happen.

We are so glad that Zhiyao chose the Bolz Center to complete her graduate studies. Please take a moment to read more about how arts and culture have shaped her life, and how she hopes to do the same for her communities.

I grew up in Shanghai, one of China’s most international and creative cities. International perspectives were part of everyday life for my generation.

09/23/2026

Xela Garcia is an Alum from the Class of 2024 and she joined the Arts Administration Seminar class this morning to present on Mission, Vision, and Values, and her work as Executive Director for the Walker's Point Center for the Arts. Today's conversation was moderated by our Wisconsin School of Business Double Business Badger, Samantha Lezama.

Xela and Sam are also current featured artists for LOUD Wisconsin and Madison College's Las Curanderas: From Ashes, We Rise exhibition celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Latina artists across the state of Wisconsin. You can visit the exhibition through October 15!

https://madisoncollege.edu/about/news/latina-artists-shine-las-curanderas-art-exhibit-sept-15-oct-15

09/22/2026

When Alexis O'Connell was an undergraduate student studying Management in the Wisconsin School of Business, a staff member in school leadership learned about her passions for and experiences in the arts and encouraged her to learn more about the Bolz Center. Now, 5 years after her graduation from the Master of Arts-Business: Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership Program, this Double Business Badger is the Manager of Guest Services for the Overture Center for the Arts and helping create accessible and inclusive experiences for its visitors.

At Overture, we strive to be at the cutting edge of accessibility services while making artistic experiences inclusive for all visitors. But oftentimes, it’s community members who raise questions, offer solutions and share the ideas that make Overture more accessible.

09/16/2026

13 years ago, Matt Dreier began his Fulltime MBA Program in the Wisconsin School of Business. Today, he returned to Grainger Hall for a visit with our students in the Arts Administration Seminar class to talk about his work as Senior Director of People & Strategic Operations for Project Success. The session included a presentation and moderated conversation with our Bolz Center Speaker Host and Master's candidate, Ayden Fowler. Alumni like Matt who annually give back of their time, talent, and words of wisdom create valuable learning experiences for our students.

09/11/2026

The semester is off to a big start! After taking a breath from the first week of classes and Amazon Music's Kane Brown concert, our students spent last evening at the Overture Center for the Arts to see STEADY SHE GOES, part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals, and presented by Forward Theater Company.

Next up is the Badger Bash Tailgate, hosted by The Wisconsin Union, with production assistance by several of our Bolz Center students and alumni. Union South will be electric tomorrow as families and fans gather to watch the UW Marching Band, Spirit Squad, and Arts for All Wisconsin ConfiDancers take the stage before the first home football game of the season.

09/10/2026

We are excited to welcome Alia Jones and Maya Malik to the Bolz Center! Alia and Maya are second year Doctoral candidates in the UW-Madison School of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction and will be helping support our work this year!

09/05/2026

A hallmark of the Bolz Center is the focus on experiential learning that complements the work in the classroom. This weekend our new students are experiencing it firsthand as they participate in the production of the OFF TO COLLEGE with Kane Brown concert, presented by The Wisconsin Union Directorate and Amazon Music.

Thankfully, the group has a master on hand, as Lizzie Sage shares her time and attention to the event. Lizzie completed an Applied Learning Placement with The Wisconsin Union during the 2025-26 academic year, and successfully produced the Badger Bash Tailgate and 2026 Winter Olympics Watch parties.

Read more about today’s concert and the University of Wisconsin-Madison back to school festivities here: https://lnkd.in/g3Mjdf4u

09/02/2026

It's a beautiful day to be a Badger! Best wishes to all of the University of Wisconsin-Madison students as classes get underway this week. And of course, cheers to our Bolz Center Master's students who begin their learning journey in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership today!

On, Wisconsin!