Global Arts Consultant Priya Sircar

No Texan Can Say She’s a New Yorker for Life

Texas native Priya Sircar is a senior consultant at Lord Cultural Resources, a firm that works with museums and other cultural institutions in planning and management. Before joining a Zócalo panel discussion about the arts in San Diego—“Will San Diego Ever Become a Great Art City?”—she talked in the green room about movies, fundraising strategies, and what it takes to make a great museum.

Q:

You first took the stage at age 3. What did you perform?


A:

Indian dance. I had a fever that day, my mom says.


Q:

You act. You dance. You play music. What’s your favorite form of artistic expression—both to perform and to watch?


A:

To perform, I would say to dance. To watch, I actually love films. I’m a movie junkie.


Q:

Why shouldn’t we mess with Texas?


A:

Isn’t it obvious? It’s just an awesome place. Instead of messing with Texas, everyone should come and visit!


Q:

A bakery in Brooklyn’s rainbow-colored bagels have become extremely popular. Cool idea or marketing gimmick?


A:

Bagels are delicious, so why not make them more beautiful to look at?


Q:

Are you now a New Yorker for life?


A:

No. I don’t think any Texan can say they’ll be a New Yorker for life. At least, that’s what I think now.


Q:

What does a museum need to be successful?


A:

That is a big question. This is true of any cultural organization that’s serving the public: They need to reflect the community that they serve. Their programming—the art and artists being shown—and also their staff and their board all should strive to do this.


Q:

What’s one of your best fundraising tricks?


A:

You really want to listen to people to figure out what their interests are. If there’s a connection to be made with what you’re raising funds for, that’s the way to do it. Also, if you have a well-loved spokesperson, that makes asking people for money much easier.


Q:

What’s your favorite song to dance to?


A:

Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners.


Q:

Favorite Disney princess?


A:

Ariel from The Little Mermaid.


Q:

Rock, paper, or scissors?


A:

Rock.


*Photo by Jake Fabricius.