Who we are
Query Arts is a boutique consulting firm specializing in the implementation and ongoing optimization of the Slate CRM for arts and niche institutions. We work with schools where enrollment is personal, review is complex, and systems must adapt to creative processes, not the other way around.
Our work is shaped by years of hands-on experience leading admissions and enrollment teams in arts-focused environments. We understand the realities of auditions, portfolios, faculty review, and small, high-touch teams, and we design Slate systems that support those realities with clarity and care.
Whether you are implementing Slate for the first time, refining an existing configuration, or seeking an experienced partner to validate and improve your approach, Query Arts works alongside your team to build systems that are efficient, sustainable, and genuinely useful. We combine deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of arts admissions to create Slate solutions that strengthen recruitment, enrollment, and student engagement—without losing the human element at the heart of your work.
Meet the Founder
Steve Castles is an enrollment management and Slate CRM consultant focused on small, mission-driven schools—especially conservatories and performing and visual arts programs. He got his start in admissions while in graduate study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he progressed from a student assistant role to Director of Admissions. He later moved to Los Angeles to serve as Executive Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Steve has since led Slate consulting engagements that help institutions streamline operations, improve applicant experience, and automate communications so teams can spend more time on high-touch service. He earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from DePaul University. Outside of work, he’s happiest outdoors with his wife, their dogs, and a camera—then back home cooking for friends over great food and wine.
Contact us
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