About me
Hey there! I’m Amanda Karioth Thompson, your go-to gal for all things creative. I see the world through an artistic lens and apply those sensibilities to all aspects of life. I believe everything can benefit from a healthy dose of creativity, a spark of imagination, an infusion of the unconventional.
As a native of Tallahassee, Florida, I love living and working in the community that raised me. After 16 successful years managing galleries, curating public art, presenting arts and education programs, producing and promoting cultural events, and serving as part of the leadership team of the area’s arts agency, I began a new journey as an independent arts consultant and project manager.
Founding my own business has allowed me to expand my reach and offer my professional services to anyone, anywhere. Inherently curious and empathetic, I'm genuinely interested in the idea you're incubating and how it came to be. I get just as excited as you when you're embarking on a new project, and I want to help you.
I love sharing tips and resources and making introductions to others who share your vision. I want to learn about your unique needs and goals so I can serve you better and give you tools to make more informed decisions.
I'm already in your corner, cheering you on. I want you to succeed and we can get there together.
More? OK, here ya go…
I come from a family of makers, all brilliant artists in their own way. I was raised in a household where arts and culture were part of the daily conversation and my education in the arts began early. Family lore has it that I attended my first play as a newborn and appeared on stage just a few months later.
During grade school, I was heavily involved in the performing arts and was part of a children’s theater company. I still remember the giddy excitement of opening my first Ben Nye stage makeup kit.
I also loved the visual arts and in third grade I decided I wanted to be an art teacher. I loved my own art teacher and the way I felt in her class. I wouldn’t have been able to articulate it then but I’m sure I wanted to make people feel that same way, valued and encouraged to explore and create. Still holds true today.
That love for the arts continued through my adolescence and into adulthood as I took the scenic route through college, enrolling in every art class that caught my eye (and a few I made up myself). I ended up with three art degrees that I’ve been putting to good use ever since.
I earned my keep for nearly a decade as a special events professional, infusing artful elements into every job and learning first-hand about the countless details and intensive coordination and cooperation needed to pull off a memorable event. Those skills have served me well in my career as an arts administrator.
One of my many wise mentors used to say, if you don’t have time to do it correctly at the start, how will you have time to do it over? I’ve woven that mantra through all areas of my life. Do something you believe is important, do it well and beautifully if you can, and be proud knowing you’ve given it your best.
Professional Affiliations
Community Service
Arts teachers have to do a lot with a little and I’m committed to helping as much as I can. I volunteer in classrooms across my community to support the efforts of talented teachers who help their students develop their own creative capacities.