Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Fleitman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Katherine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I was always artistically inclined. I grew up in a family comprised of creatives and this exposure to various art forms influenced my appreciation of the art world from a young age. As far back as I can remember, I have been experimenting in different mediums and visiting art galleries and museums. Consequently, the art world is where I feel most at home and I have always seen being involved in it in some way as my path. In my early education, my peers always referred to me as the artist of the bunch. My teachers always recognized my passion for it and took extra time to nurture my growth. Their encouragement gave me the reassurance that I could consider art as a profession. When I was exposed to Art History, it enriched my artistic practice tenfold. Ultimately, in college, I decided to pursue both and got my BA in Visual Arts as well as Art History from Florida International University.
During my studies, I fell in love with Art History and spent all my free time reading books about different art movements and artists in the campus library. The idea of working in an art museum suddenly became my main focus professionally, and I decided that my artistic practice would become more of a personal hobby. After graduating, I began working at the Pérez Art Museum Miami where I became more involved in the local art scene and gained invaluable insight and knowledge about the inner workings of a museum. I was exposed to working in almost every department and this helped me to figure out the specific route I would like to pursue within an art institution. I decided that working in an archival role is what interested me most and seemed to suit my personality. Currently, I am working at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami where I have been fortunate enough to engage more with the artwork and the artists themselves. My ultimate plan is to gain more experience in collection and archival work in different Miami institutions and to obtain my MA degree in Archival Studies.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Choosing to go into the arts is never a smooth road, in my opinion. There will always be people that will doubt your ability, or not take art as a career seriously. I have definitely had my share of experiences with that. There will be many obstacles along the way, especially for young women, as historically the art market has been predominantly male-dominated. However, more recently, the scene has been changing, and it is up to women and historically marginalized groups alike to continue this change for equality in the field. My advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the arts is to just go ahead and do it! Surround yourself with supportive like-minded individuals, and people with experience in this area that can help you grow. Never lose your passion for what you do, because nothing worth doing is easy. Follow through on your dreams because they are entirely possible.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Currently, I am a Visitor Services professional in an art institution in Miami. I specialize in making our guests visit the museum an informative and impactful one. I am most proud of working at a museum that houses some of the most forward-thinking contemporary art of our time and of my ability to impart knowledge to those interested in learning more about art.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel that women are particularly well positioned to tackle any opportunity available to them. I am a strong proponent of equality and believe that women are just as capable of doing anything like men.
Contact Info:
- Email: kat.fleitman@gmail.com
- Instagram: katfleitman
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