The president of the Hippodrome Foundation, Inc., works to share the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center with the community and is committed to bringing more arts experiences to the UMB campus.
As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Council for the Arts & Culture is featuring Q&As with its members on The Elm. This week, we shine the spotlight on Olive Waxter, a founding member of the arts council.
What is your name and job?
Olive Waxter, president of the Hippodrome Foundation, Inc. (HFI). The foundation is the nonprofit partner of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, home of the Hippodrome Theatre and M&T Bank Exchange. As a close neighbor of UMB, I have been honored to serve on the Council for the Arts & Culture for many years.
HFI’s organizational mission is to share the performing arts center with our community. The HFI team provides free year-round outreach/education programs related to the performing arts for thousands of young people each year (summer camps, master classes, career programs, and more). The foundation serves more than 5000 students annually, and we have provided free programs for more than 90,000 people since the performing arts center opened in 2004. (We also provide occasional programming for UMB personnel/children and work regularly with UMB partner schools.)
Why did you join the Council for the Arts & Culture?
I joined because I was excited about the possibility of supporting an initiative that would bring more arts to UMB campus! From my workplace experiences, I understand that arts are a “unifying factor,” and the initiative made sense as a life-enhancing way to bring people from all over UMB together.
I have been fortunate to have worked with presidents David Ramsay, Jay Perman, and Bruce Jarrell, all incredible UMB leaders, and I have seen their efforts to unify the University. The creation of the arts council made perfect sense! (And having worked with founder and chair Jennifer Litchman over the years, I also had faith that when she sets her mind to something, it gets done with excellence!)
I hope the UMB arts council brings some joy into your life, and if it hasn’t yet, please try to notice the benefits our efforts have contributed to University life. Pick up a copy of our 1807 art and literary journal to see the wonderful work created by some of your peers or notice some of the local murals that have been developed. The past few years have been stressful, and I feel lucky to have worked with representatives from every school to bring more arts exposure to UMB. And on this 10th anniversary of the arts council’s creation, I congratulate UMB for implementing such a positive initiative!
How did you arrive in your position in the arts?
I literally “fell” into it. I was an economics major who intended to work in banking. Instead, I worked in advertising for 10 years and then turned to the nonprofit world. My tenure at the Hippodrome Foundation started as a three-month interim role as executive director — in January 2005! Before I worked at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, I had no idea how the arts could impact young people in such a positive way. After witnessing a few difference-making — life-changing, really — experiences, I asked the HFI board if I could stay. Now, 20 years later, I appreciate that in addition to first-class entertainment offered at the Hippodrome Theatre (250,000-plus people welcomed annually), HFI programs can change lives, helping students build confidence, teamwork and other life skills, whether or not someone has theatrical talent.
HFI programs introduce performing arts to Maryland students. Many of our programs link Hippodrome Theatre shows to mandatory state curriculum, and we constantly use theater to help young people learn. Another important service that HFI provides is introducing students to feasible and achievable careers in the theater industry. The HFI board works tirelessly to share our beloved performing arts center with those who might otherwise be unable to participate. After all, arts are important to all of us and makes our lives better. During these times of reduced budgets, HFI’s commitment to increasing arts access is key.
Can you talk more about the Hippodrome Foundation’s relationship with UMB?
Team Hippodrome continues to value our strong relationship with UMB. In fact, we are grateful to UMB for helping HFI create the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in the first place! Many are unaware that in 2000, UMB sold the Hippodrome Theatre building to the state of Maryland for $1, which made the creation of the performing arts center possible. Our organizations are thankfully intertwined — the president of UMB contractually has an evergreen position on the Hippodrome Foundation Board; UMB has supported several HFI initiatives over the years; many of HFI’s 750 volunteers are employees of UMB; Hippodrome Theatre patrons and staff park in UMB’s garage; and more. We are especially grateful to President Jarrell for his efforts to unite our two organizations. We are stronger together, and his positive leadership has been meaningful to the success of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.
What is something that people would be surprised to find out about you?
I will confess that I actually have zero artistic talent. Zero. But I have gained immeasurable value in my life from exposure to the performing arts at the Hippodrome Theatre. Certainly, the shows and splendor of Broadway are spectacular. But the real “diamonds” have been witnessing the kind and giving nature of cast members and people in this industry and what they have contributed to Baltimore children. Through my job, I see that people are good! And while I may not be able to personally sing or dance — or draw or play an instrument for that matter — I have witnessed incredible kindness and subsequent transformation in young people as a direct result of being involved in arts programming.
Performing arts can be life-changing, and I encourage all members of the UMB community to try to include arts in your schedule in some way. Visit one of Baltimore’s renowned museums, look into going to a show at the theater or symphony, maybe even take a class. I have seen through my role on the Council for the Arts & Culture what a wonderful, talented community UMB is. I appreciate being welcomed onto the arts council and look forward to working to expand offerings in the years to come.