Kate VanVliet ’07 thrives in the space between making and managing. From her early days at Moore College of Art & Design to co-founding BYO Printmaking Collaborative, VanVliet built a career rooted in collaboration, adaptability and a continuous drive to learn.
At Moore, VanVliet found a vibrant, close-knit community that encouraged creative thinking. The Fine Arts major challenged her to develop technical skills while learning to push artistic boundaries. Through her experiences at the College, VanVliet says she flourished as both an artist and a person.
“[Moore] changed who I am, how I interact with other people and how I aim to lift them up,” she said. “Moore’s goal of making bright leaders is something that helped me come out of my shell in a huge way and become more confident as a person.”
That confidence took root at Moore’s Art Shop, where a unique opportunity shaped her early career. Between her junior and senior years, she stepped into the role of manager while the previous manager was on maternity leave. The experience, which doubled as an internship, gave her a crash course in running a gallery store, working with artists and understanding the business of art. It also gave her the chance to “wear many hats”—a role she says she now thrives in.
“It was really pivotal to be at The Art Shop as a young artist and a young professional. It helped me by giving me the opportunity to network with alumni who were further along in their careers and learn the world of art marketing,” VanVliet said. “Having this community that I already knew and felt really comfortable in set the stage for everything else I wanted to do with my career.”
After graduation, she stayed on as the full-time manager, a role she held for six years before pursuing the next step in her career journey. From 2010 to 2012, she became the manager at artist studio Sharktown, Inc. while co-founding BYO Print, a community-focused print shop alongside fellow Moore alumna Lauren Fischer ’07. Now a nonprofit called BYO Printmaking Collaborative, the pair co-directs the workshop with Moore alumna Lisa Imperiale ‘09, providing access to equipment, artist residencies and more. The group will celebrate its 15th anniversary during Moore’s 2025 Alumni Reunion, where they will welcome attendees to their new location in Philadelphia’s Paradigm Arts Building.
“Dreaming big and working collaboratively is really crucial, and it’s something I learned how to do at Moore,” VanVliet said.
VanVliet’s own art practice, centered on found objects and intaglio prints, has flourished alongside BYO Printmaking. She previously exhibited work in New York and had her first solo show at the Paradigm Gallery in November 2023.
Throughout her career, VanVliet has remained deeply connected to Moore. She continues to work with Moore students through internship opportunities at the print shop, highlighting their drive and determination.
“Moore interns are always wonderful. Several of our former interns have stayed involved with the print shop or become members,” she said. “They’re always such hard workers and ambitious.”
As a former Moore student and staff member, she also encourages students to take full advantage of Moore’s Career Center and professional development opportunities.
"Networking can be fun and easy, but it’s also really important," VanVliet said. “For Fine Arts students especially, you can apply those career development and financial literacy skills to your creative aspirations.”
As she continues to balance her artistic career, nonprofit leadership and motherhood, VanVliet is still guided by the principles she developed at Moore.
"My superpowers are inspiring my collaborators, seeing the long game and learning on the job," she said. "Those traits were all nurtured at Moore."
Moore College of Art & Design is the only independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to learn more about the Fine Arts major at Moore? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We'd love to tell you more!
Image: Kate VanVliet, Forager III, 2024, cut prints, maquettes, single day sculptures, found objects mounted on birch. Courtesy of the artist.
Photo by Argenis Apolinario.
