Faculty Friday: Libby Lai-Bun Chiu

Our "Faculty Friday" series highlights one faculty member from the Welch Center every Friday. We ask these faculty members about their career, their work, and what they love about Goucher.

This week's faculty member: 
Libby Lai-Bun Chiu
Adjunct Lecturer, M.A. in Arts Administration

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in Hong Kong; now I live in Ogden Dunes, Indiana.

How are you involved in the arts or arts administration?

Professionally as a former state arts agencies and higher education executive, lecturer, and SAA commissioner.

What do you see as the future for arts administration?

We need to ensure that others take the field seriously by crossing our self-prescribed professional border and join hands with "unusual suspects," and with what Harvard Business Review once termed organizational "secret agents."

What's your favorite thing about Goucher's M.A. in Arts Administration program?

STUDENTS!!!!!

Tell us about your first job in the arts or arts administration.

I was recruited to be the deputy director of the then-Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities based on my reputation as a principal who is a strong yet compassionate leader. My being a ballerina and ballet teacher also helped. I was also very connected to city and state legislators, which is certainly a major asset for the council.

Do you have a favorite artist? If so, tell us about them.

Dame Margot Fonteyn: I admired her for her brilliance as the Prima Ballerina Royal Ballet, as well as her indomitable spirit, performing throughout World War II, including in Netherlands when it was invaded.

Tell us about a favorite hobby or passion of yours.

Reading spy novels—what is one of the primary skills of a spy? Making contingency plans, making contingency plans, making contingency plans. In any profession, we MUST remember to make contingency plans.