The MET Museum, "Apollo Circle" │ Rogelio Plasencia, Development Officer

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Rogelio Plasencia, Development Officer of the "Apollo Circle" young patrons group at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, sits down to discuss his journey from NYU University through various cultural institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, El Museo del Barrio and the Smithsonian, to name a few. We discuss the unique challenges of Millennials (vs. older generations), how you measure the ROI on "young patron groups" generally, navigating bureaucracy and the importance of building team consensus, diversity, and the love of arts.

**COVID-19 UPDATE**
This was recorded prior to the epidemic in the U.S. While the Met is currently closed, they have amazing online/virtual programs happening which you can learn about at www.metmuseum.org

(*Note: Any opinions shared during this interview (for example, on Millennials, etc), are the sole opinion of Rogelio and not The Met as an institution)

LEARN MORE ABOUT APOLLO CIRCLE: https://www.metmuseum.org/apollo
INSTA: @metapollocircle

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

• First off, explain a little more about the Apollo circle and its mission or purpose?
• Did you always want to work in development and especially young people. And why do you prefer larger institutions over smaller ones?
• What are the unique challenges that millennials bring to your day to day job and how do you deal with them?
• Second millennial question. I’m a millennial. You’re a millennial. We don’t have the same level of income as older generations so theyre not moving the needle financially. Could you make an argument that it’s just not worth the time, energy and resources for the ROI of young patrons? And how do you calculate that ROI?
• Two questions: Bureaucracy and change. Millennials really dislike (I’m being careful not to use the word hate) bureaucracy, and corporate hierarchy. The idea “this is just the way its always been done”. In all of your experiences with these large cultural institutions, not just the Met, how do you handle that? And secondly, Millennials want fast paced change. As a millennial does it ever frustrate you, if for example you have an idea for something, but receive pushback. For people listening who may be in similar professional situations, what advice can you give?
• Diversity and representation. As a cultural institution that has a very diverse audience, it’s important that its membership also reflects its visitorship. How do you ensure this, both culturally, ethnically, and socioeconomically, especially given the financial barrier to being included in the apollo circle?
• What personal struggles have you had on your professional journey? Or just in constantly dealing with museum patrons?
• How do you emotionally separate the constant asking and need for money vs the love of the arts? Do you ever think about that? Is it ever burdensome to feel so transactional at times?
• What is something you wish someone had told you 5 years ago, or you had told yourself, that you had to learn on your own? But would have made life so much easier had you known.
• How can we learn more about the Apollo circle and get involved?