Welcome to Staff Spotlight! Get to know the dedicated staff at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, who work year-round to support the success of the Scholastic Awards.

This month, we’re highlighting Exhibitions Assistant Jack Whitescarver!

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I have a secret life as a musician—I’ve been performing in a band since moving to New York in 2018. More recently I’ve been making scores for films and dance work.

Describe your role at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

I work closely with Grace Caiazza to produce our major art exhibitions here in New York. I have a pretty fluid role—sometimes I’m hanging a show, sometimes I’m coordinating the complex schedules around the exhibitions. The role varies day to day.

What is your favorite part about working for the Scholastic Awards?

I love seeing what’s going on in the world of the teens. Every year we get a glimpse into the mind of the American high school teenager and every year it’s different but there are always consistent concerns which is fascinating.

What is your favorite book of all time, and what makes it so special to you?

My favorite book of all time is the “The Sailor from Gibraltar” by Marguerite Duras. There are a great number of sentences from this book that I think about every single day of my life.

If you could visit any museum in the world, where would you go and why?

I would go to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. It’s not really a museum but to me it is the ultimate site of world culture.

Name three famous artists and/or writers you would invite to a dinner party.

Marguerite Duras, Celine Dion, and Liz Phair—including me that’s four Aries.

Favorite snack or drink while working?

Vanilla Seltzer

Favorite song or album of the moment?

Right now I can’t stop listening to the album 5:55 by Charlotte Gainsbourg.

A Scholastic Awards alum who inspires you and why?

John Baldessari’s 1971 performance video “I Am Making Art” did genuinely change my understanding of art when I was 18. I will always be thankful that I was open to taking that seriously.