Page 11 - Indulge June/July 2015
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someone who the spring as an example.)
grew up going We’re sitting at the base
to Musikfest, of these blast furnaces.
our Valley Girl for this issue Bethlehem Steel was a melting
never dreamed she’d one day pot of ethnicities as a business.
be heading up the organization We would love to be able to
responsible for the annual music do that ... (the film) started a
festival in Bethlehem. dialog ... That’s a place people
can bring up issues that they
“I had been coming to are facing — I think there’s a
Musikfest forever,” Kassie lot of opportunity there.
Hilgert says. “I was a teenager
on Main Street.” Q: Any advice for someone
Born in White Plains, N.Y., looking to follow the same path?
Hilgert and her family moved
here in 1981. Her parents still A: Network and get involved
make their home in Allentown
and Hilgert and her partner, Photo by Jen Zweiger in as many opportunities as
Susan, also live in the Valley. The Penn
State grad has served on a number you can. Never let rejection
of philanthropic boards including the
Good Shepherd Board of Trustees, perfect fit. ... So many arts and cultural be a barrier. If you have a passion
Discover Lehigh Valley Board of
Trustees, Children’s Home of Easton, groups live hand to mouth, I’d like about something ... If you think about
Lehigh Valley Economic Development
Corp. and the Boy Scouts’ Minsi Trails make this organization truly sustainable something when you’re making dinner
Council Board of Trustees.
from a financial standpoint. We’re still or getting gas. (Rejection) is like rocks
Hilgert took over as CEO of
ArtsQuest from founder Jeffrey Parks building up the reserves from getting in a stream — water just flows around
after a nationwide search last year. She
took time out of her busy schedule to SteelStacks open — we’re still at the them. (Water,) that’s what you have to
chat with Indulge.
point of not having reserves. be when confronted with “no.”
Q: How has the transition been into
Q: What challenges do you see Q: What do you do to relax? JUNE/JULY 2015 • INDULGE | 11
your new role? A: I listen to music ... Some nights
ArtsQuest facing?
A: I’ve spent the first several it can be bagpipes and some nights
A: (Hilgert says a big challenge it can be gospel. I can relax coming
months going on a listening tour (She down here for a Levitt (Pavilion)
has been meeting with ArtsQuest’s is securing continued financial show. The people you meet are just
major partners, with the public and backing. ArtsQuest plans to utilize fascinating ... That’s reality — it’s an
staff.) ... we are a community based Parks in that role). I think it’s a in-your-face reminder of why you do
organization. ... It’s a great chance to tremendous opportunity. We’re able this every day.
see where the holes are and look for
programming gaps — what is left to to take someone who started the Q: Is there anything you would
fill out ... that’s been a really amazing
part of this transition. organization, and have him spend his like to add?
Q: Did you ever think you’d be time telling the story of ArtsQuest. A: One of the things that makes this
heading up a multimillion dollar (The organization hopes to grow its area unique is that we, as the Lehigh
organization like ArtsQuest? supporters, both at the corporate and Valley, embrace the Lehigh Valley as
individual level.) They just fall in love a region. You can have the distinct
A: (She said she didn’t have a with the story. (Another challenge personalities in Allentown, Bethlehem
and Easton. It is the amenities of
plan for her career, rather letting her is) right now we’re looking at the the region that makes us powerful as
natural skills lead her to positions) a region. If I can get you here from
I’m someone who likes to learn new Banana Factory. The Banana Factory out of the area, and you decide that
things. ... ArtsQuest does seem like a you’re going to come back — we all
is out of space. How do we redesign win from a business recruitment,
business development and tourism
the Banana Factory to accommodate standpoint. ... Arts and culture is an
economic driver — it’s not just a nice
growth? The visual arts classes amenities thing. They are drivers; they
differentiate a community.
(there) are a great way to bring people
together. ... It’s so visually compelling
that people want to know what’s going
on there. (Hilgert added she would
like to see ArtsQuest take a leading
role in guiding discussions between
different groups of people and pointed
to the film showing and discussion of
the Oscar-winning movie, “Selma” in
Photo by Sarah Evans
grew up going We’re sitting at the base
to Musikfest, of these blast furnaces.
our Valley Girl for this issue Bethlehem Steel was a melting
never dreamed she’d one day pot of ethnicities as a business.
be heading up the organization We would love to be able to
responsible for the annual music do that ... (the film) started a
festival in Bethlehem. dialog ... That’s a place people
can bring up issues that they
“I had been coming to are facing — I think there’s a
Musikfest forever,” Kassie lot of opportunity there.
Hilgert says. “I was a teenager
on Main Street.” Q: Any advice for someone
Born in White Plains, N.Y., looking to follow the same path?
Hilgert and her family moved
here in 1981. Her parents still A: Network and get involved
make their home in Allentown
and Hilgert and her partner, Photo by Jen Zweiger in as many opportunities as
Susan, also live in the Valley. The Penn
State grad has served on a number you can. Never let rejection
of philanthropic boards including the
Good Shepherd Board of Trustees, perfect fit. ... So many arts and cultural be a barrier. If you have a passion
Discover Lehigh Valley Board of
Trustees, Children’s Home of Easton, groups live hand to mouth, I’d like about something ... If you think about
Lehigh Valley Economic Development
Corp. and the Boy Scouts’ Minsi Trails make this organization truly sustainable something when you’re making dinner
Council Board of Trustees.
from a financial standpoint. We’re still or getting gas. (Rejection) is like rocks
Hilgert took over as CEO of
ArtsQuest from founder Jeffrey Parks building up the reserves from getting in a stream — water just flows around
after a nationwide search last year. She
took time out of her busy schedule to SteelStacks open — we’re still at the them. (Water,) that’s what you have to
chat with Indulge.
point of not having reserves. be when confronted with “no.”
Q: How has the transition been into
Q: What challenges do you see Q: What do you do to relax? JUNE/JULY 2015 • INDULGE | 11
your new role? A: I listen to music ... Some nights
ArtsQuest facing?
A: I’ve spent the first several it can be bagpipes and some nights
A: (Hilgert says a big challenge it can be gospel. I can relax coming
months going on a listening tour (She down here for a Levitt (Pavilion)
has been meeting with ArtsQuest’s is securing continued financial show. The people you meet are just
major partners, with the public and backing. ArtsQuest plans to utilize fascinating ... That’s reality — it’s an
staff.) ... we are a community based Parks in that role). I think it’s a in-your-face reminder of why you do
organization. ... It’s a great chance to tremendous opportunity. We’re able this every day.
see where the holes are and look for
programming gaps — what is left to to take someone who started the Q: Is there anything you would
fill out ... that’s been a really amazing
part of this transition. organization, and have him spend his like to add?
Q: Did you ever think you’d be time telling the story of ArtsQuest. A: One of the things that makes this
heading up a multimillion dollar (The organization hopes to grow its area unique is that we, as the Lehigh
organization like ArtsQuest? supporters, both at the corporate and Valley, embrace the Lehigh Valley as
individual level.) They just fall in love a region. You can have the distinct
A: (She said she didn’t have a with the story. (Another challenge personalities in Allentown, Bethlehem
and Easton. It is the amenities of
plan for her career, rather letting her is) right now we’re looking at the the region that makes us powerful as
natural skills lead her to positions) a region. If I can get you here from
I’m someone who likes to learn new Banana Factory. The Banana Factory out of the area, and you decide that
things. ... ArtsQuest does seem like a you’re going to come back — we all
is out of space. How do we redesign win from a business recruitment,
business development and tourism
the Banana Factory to accommodate standpoint. ... Arts and culture is an
economic driver — it’s not just a nice
growth? The visual arts classes amenities thing. They are drivers; they
differentiate a community.
(there) are a great way to bring people
together. ... It’s so visually compelling
that people want to know what’s going
on there. (Hilgert added she would
like to see ArtsQuest take a leading
role in guiding discussions between
different groups of people and pointed
to the film showing and discussion of
the Oscar-winning movie, “Selma” in
Photo by Sarah Evans
