We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dustin Steuck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dustin below.

Dustin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

As an events coordinator working within an art museum, my role is client driven while also aligning under a mission that aims to serve broader audiences through community engagement. For me, finding meaning in every project I absorb is crucial toward a sustainable career and practice. Investing time to deepen connections with stakeholders strengthens our understanding of one another and how to set each other up for success. Life is an ever-evolving project and I look forward to welcoming new collaborators and lessons along the way.

To get more specific though, I am currently working on a massive project for the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s next special exhibition opening of Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys. This project is meaningful to me as I have been granted complete freedom to design and produce the full event. The event date approaches my 3-year anniversary within the department and showcases the caliber at which I can deliver and hope to build upon. I am also a big fan of Alicia Keys, having grown up listening to her, and love the couple’s approach towards collecting. As an early career artist, it brings me great joy to see support from such high-profile figures that want to aid in an artist’s success beyond the acquisition of their work alone. I have the privilege to work on large opening projects all the time, but this one has a deeper impact behind it and I’m excited to see everything come together soon!

Dustin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My approach to event design is derived from my personal practice as a visual artist and my identity as an LGBTQIA+ person. I am interested in relationships with technology, how identity is explored through a filtered world and how art and immersive experiences can enable us to better recognize, respect, and cultivate connection in public and digital spaces.

With a double Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture and drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, I utilize those skills throughout my events to produce unique and timeless experiences that are custom to my clients. Whether you are hosting galas, exhibition openings, private dining experiences, immersive pop-ups, or community programming, I am committed to exceeding client expectations. This work is a labor of love. Let’s make memories together!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Like so many people in the unknown days of Covid, lockdown completely halted any career trajectory for me within the museum or alternative organizations. I was so fortunate to retain my permanent part-time position which covered my bills, but any hope towards progression seemed unreachable. After 2 years of contemplating what the future held, a job posting as an events coordinator at the museum opened up and something about that course felt correct. It took 3 attempts before landing a lead role within the department, but persistence, confidence, and preparation were key. Know your worth, demand respect, and put in the work.

I have always been in hospitality and thrived in front-facing roles working with people. As a Midwesterner from Wisconsin, I grew up in Supper Clubs. Starting out as a busboy and dishwasher at 13, I worked my way up to a fry cook at 16, until I could finally wait tables the summer I turned 18. Identifying ways to share my creativity throughout these roles and creating memorable experiences that feel custom has always been meaningful. My time in those Supper Clubs taught me the value of creating and maintaining relationships not only with customers and clients, but with my peers and colleagues. Relationships built on authenticity and care, lift up and strengthen communities. Resiliency is not self-influenced but informed by the lessons shared with us through loved ones both past and present.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am particularly interested in coalescing my personal art practice within my events work. I would love to develop my own design services pursuing more opportunities within interior and set design. Specifically within the fashion world. Growing up in the Midwest, my introduction to art and interior design is what my peer, Robert Martin from art school, coined as “Rural core.” This upbringing envelops one with wildlife paintings, taxidermy, precious moments figurines, bulky furniture, and disjointed spaces. This was never meant for me as I have always been drawn to the glamour or mystery of the beauty & fashion world and the many luxuries embedded within it. That curiosity is probably why I was so drawn to theatre as a kid and what I have found enriching as an events coordinator. It is thrilling to oversee countless components overlapping one another to produce an enriching experience for guests. The creative in me loves the schematic phase to develop concepts and themes that inform all the decor or pretty bits tailored to an event space. The producer in me loves choreographing the logistics by working with and overseeing vendors to execute the design. I love the thrill behind the scenes and watching others thrive by sharing their talents with new audiences.

Working with and highlighting creative individuals continues to inform my goals and where I find meaning in my work. In short, I continue to let curiosity guide me and never get too comfortable. I try to keep my eyes open for new opportunities, not let others dictate what I “should be” doing, and never losing sight of care for collaborators, partners, and clients along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dustinsteuck.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustinsteuck/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-steuck-9b896596/

Image Credits

Zoe Prinds-Flash
Bruce Silcox