Mary Welsh is the Director of Business Affairs for the College of Arts + Architecture. With the Business Team, she manages the finance, personnel, and operational needs of the College. Prior to joining CoA+A in January 2014, Mary lived and worked in New York City. She was the Business Manager for the Columbia University School of Law and the Miller Theatre at Columbia University. Mary also held positions with high-profile arts organizations in New York. She worked for the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center in the Personnel Office, where she coordinated the audition process for the ensemble. In addition, she worked with a production company for a number of years, Mid-America Music, which brought college and community-based choral and instrumental ensembles to New York for a four-day residency culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Mary holds an M.A. in Arts in Performing Arts Administration from New York University, and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Staff Spotlight
What/where did you study?: I earned my Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in 2002, then I earned my MA in Arts Administration from NYU in 2005. I focused on orchestra personnel management. As an intern in grad school, I worked at the New York Philharmonic and facilitated the audition process for the bassoon. You would think that at that level of playing, it would be hard to distinguish who is a better player- but actually, you can still tell the difference!
What do you do to be creative?: I love all things creative. My favorite piece of music is Saint-Saens Organ Symphony (Finale). My favorite visual artist is Willem De Kooning. I enjoy knitting, gardening, painting, and working with color. My latest interest is in marbling paper.
What is your favorite thing about CoA+A? Not only do I work with a fabulous group of people, but I love what I do. I also love seeing abstract ideas come to life. We are the best College!
What’s an arts event that you’ve been to or seen recently that you enjoyed? I had fun in NY with the first annual CoA+A field trip! Local to Charlotte, I went to Camp North End just last week and enjoyed the artists in the space.
What do you like to do for fun? When I'm not at work, I enjoy being a Mom and doing things with my family!