Art, Business and the Space Between

How Belmont alumna Hannah Deits blends art and business through a New York Times–praised art-tech platform 

When Belmont alumna Hannah Deits arrived at Belmont, she knew two things: she loved art and she wanted a rigorous business education. Instead of viewing them as competing interests, she found a campus environment that encouraged her to explore both. 

“I was interested in liberal arts more than a state school,” she said. “I was always interested in art, and I knew I wanted to be around people creating things.” 

Even though she didn’t study art formally, Deits appreciated the creative energy of Belmont’s campus. She eventually majored in economics through the Jack C. Massey College of Business, drawn to its analytical depth and emphasis on critical thinking.   

“I can't speak highly enough of the economics department,” she said. “I was around a lot of smart hardworking people and really enjoyed my courses.” 

Her behavioral economics course, taught by Dr. Dustin Rumbaugh, still relates to the work she does today in venture capital and fundraising.  

“That class was interesting because it teaches you how to socially apply economics,” she said. “You have to both understand what's happening in the market and be able to speak to it.” 

Nashville as a Creative Classroom 

Nashville also played a formative role in shaping her artistic perspective. Deits engaged with Nashville’s broader creative community, working at an art gallery, connecting with artists and evening taking art history classes outside of Belmont since the university hadn’t yet acquired the Watkins College of Art. 

Through photography, Deits worked with musicians and visual artists, discovering the unique ways creatives engage with their work and audiences. Those experiences deepened her interest not just in art, but in the systems that support artists and creative careers. 

“I liked having conversations with artists about their work,” she said. “I liked understanding how they think and what they need.”  

Her artistic exploration and curiosity — nurtured on campus and throughout Nashville — would later shape her work as a collector advisor, nonprofit supporter and eventually, an art-tech founder. 

Showrunner: An Art Lover's Tech Companion 

After graduating in 2020, Deits began her career in corporate finance and consulting, working first at Caterpillar Financial before moving to New York for a role at KPMG. That move proved pivotal. 

“I knew I needed to get to New York if I wanted to be in the key market for contemporary art,” she said. 

As she immersed herself in New York’s art scene, Deits experienced a common frustration: it was surprisingly difficult to keep track of what exhibitions were happening at any given moment. 

“In prime seasons, there might be 800 gallery shows opening in a single week,” she said. 

That challenge inspired Showrunner, a comprehensive guide to fine art exhibitions in New York City. After selling a piece to the company’s founders, Deits saw an opportunity to combine her analytical training with her passion for art and joined the team. 

“The art world is a market,” she said. “Understanding the macro economy broadly plays into understanding the art market.” 

Launched publicly in May, Showrunner aggregates exhibition data across the city and helps users discover what’s trending, where shows are concentrated and which events offer social or networking opportunities.  

The New York Times recently named Showrunner one of “5 Apps That Will Make You Love Art Galleries.” 

“We’re data scientists,” Deits told The New York Times, describing the platform’s use of artificial intelligence to identify trends and help users filter exhibitions by neighborhood, subject and style. 

Lessons for Students with Multiple Passions 

At Belmont — surrounded by musicians, dancers and artists — Deits found a creative environment where she could receive a formal business education while cultivating her artistic passion.  

After graduation, rather than waiting for a single role to satisfy every interest, she created a career ecosystem where her passion and profession reinforced each other. 

“I knew I couldn’t do something that didn’t light me up inside,” she said.  

For Belmont students navigating multiple interests, Deits offers practical, encouraging advice. 

“Don’t let go of what you’re passionate about,” she said. “Be open to it looking different than you imagined. I’m a firm believer that if you keep working hard and putting energy into what excites you, something will present itself.”