Smithers

TAMAR SMITHERS, an avid arts advocate with over fifteen years of experience in the not-for-profit arts sector with a special focus on museums, higher education, and cultural institutions. As Executive Director for The Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), she is dedicated to community relationship building and audience development/ engagement. Prior to joining the VAACC, Tamar served as the founding Senior Director of Education for the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, TN.Tamar holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, a wM.S. in Arts Administration and a C.A.S. in Higher Education Leadership from Le Moyne College. She is also a current EMBA Candidate in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. A community-minded person with a true passion for mentoring and being a positive role model for our youth, Tamar encourages young people to believe that no matter what their circumstances may be, if they continue to pursue their dreams, anything is possible!

Why did you decide to work in the arts?

I have been singing since I was four years old. The arts have been a part of my everyday life since that tender age. As a child growing up in NYC and navigating life’s challenges, the arts provided an outlet and a place of healing for me. If I was having a bad day, dance it out. If I was in a low place, I would sing my favorite song. To me, the arts are LIFE, and I couldn’t imagine living in a world where the arts were not represented and were not accessible.

What is your favorite part of being an arts entrepreneur?

My favorite part of being an arts entrepreneur is the ability to help people of all walks of life, live life to their fullest potential by utilizing the arts as that vehicle. I love using my God-given gifts and talents to be able to bless others and help our youngest audiences discover their talents and passions in life.

Tell us about a challenge you are proud that you have overcome.

A challenge that I am proud to have overcome is moving from my hometown of NY to Nashville, TN back in 2019. It was a major decision I had to make for my own personal growth and evolution. Leaving my family, friends, and comfort zone was terrifying. However, If I had not made that decision, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It made me tap into an inner strength and resilience that I never knew I had. I honestly feel young adults; women in particular, should challenge themselves at least once in life by moving away from home to places where they know no one. It icon those journey’s that we“find”ourselves.

What is one thing you do every day and why?

One thing I do daily is to try and experience and/or incorporate some form of artistic expression. Whether that be listening to some good music, singing my favorite song, moving my body in dance, or writing poetry, etc. It keeps me grounded and reminds me of my purpose in life. It also allows me to stay connected to and grow my own creativity.

Who/what is your biggest inspiration?

Seeing faces light up with joy during impactful programs and events is what inspires me. I especially love seeing our babies discover their passions and artistic abilities.

What is the best thing that has happened to you in your journey in the arts?

The best thing that has happened to me on my journey in the arts is having a day named after me in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. March 1st is Tamar Smithers Day in the city of Syracuse. To me that is representative of the workhand contributions that I have made to the arts and community. It is one of my highest honors in life thus far.

What does being a part of the Virginia Beach community mean to you?

I am very new to the area, just touching down in October 2022. For me, being a part of the Virginia Beach community means UNITY. My love for the arts and community feels like it will flourish and grow here. I truly enjoy meeting people and making connections and I am looking forward to even more relationship building and forming my village here in Virginia Beach.

What is your favorite thing about living and working in Virginia Beach?

I love the diversity and cultural opportunities in the area, particularly in the arts. Being back home on the east coast means I’m closer to my family. The ability to take a 20 min drive to the beach means the world to me. There’s something about the tranquility of water and its ability to center me and bring me back to myself

How did you persevere through the tough times?

Prayer, patience, and peace. When I am working through tough times, as a woman of faith, I find clarity in prayer. Having patience with others as well as myself continues to make that journey easier to travel.

TERRY FLINT joined The Z in 2016 with 16+ years of professional theatre and production experience. Under her leadership, The Z has transitioned from its formative stage in small, storefront black box theater to serving as a hub of creative inspiration in a state of the art performing arts center, offering the community unique entertainment, artistic development, and creative engagement. Her career behind the scenes includes arts management, production management, and scenic and props design at regional theaters including Virginia Stage Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, American Repertory Theatre and Texas Shakespeare Festival. She earned her MFA in Scenic Design from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and continues her freelance scenic design and props work. Local design credits include props and installation design work for the Burning Man and The Dream Clinic projects at The Hermitage Museum, and set designs for LTN’s The Foreigner and A Piece of My Heart, VSC’s Billy Bishop Goes to War, A Raisin in the Sun, Taming of the Shrew, Grounded, Native Gardens, and A Christmas Carol (2011-2016), and ODU’s HAIR and Echoes.

Why did you decide to work in the arts?

I think it was pretty clear early on that I was headed for the arts, and my parents always encouraged me in my exploration. I have always been a creative thinker and had a love of performance, loved crafting as much as singing... pretty much any creative expression. Like many, I found theater & amp; choir in middle school and they provided me with a creative outlet and built confidence. In college, I learned more technical theater, where I could add in my love for designing and making things. Being able to go to a school that let me do both the performing and the designing was key for me and helped me hone in on design/tech as my career path. I’ve stayed in the field ever since. The surprise came with the shift from hands-on work to arts administration. But even after 10+ years wholly on the technical theater side of things, creativity and collaboration arête through-line in my career path. Theatre and threats teach so many skillscreative problem-solving, truly collaborating and recognizing good solutions even when they aren’t yours, perseverance and exploration, the discipline of opening night deadlines...it all applies to arts administration just as much as production work, and to other careers as well, I expect.

What is your favorite part of being an arts entrepreneur?