Miah Michaelsen is the Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission. As Executive Director, Michaelsen has led a comprehensive programmatic review at the agency focusing on ensuring the broadest possible access to the arts across the state. Priorities include partnering broadly to extend the public value of arts and creativity for all in Indiana; building knowledge, capacity, skills, and networks that increase markets and audiences for Indiana’s creative sector; amplifying awareness of the social, cultural, educational, and economic value of arts and creativity across Indiana; and connecting people and communities to opportunities to create and experience art.
Before joining the Arts Commission, Michaelsen served as the first Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts for the City of Bloomington, Indiana. During her tenure she leveraged partnerships to institute new sources of funding and investment in arts organizations, artists, and arts-based small businesses and developed strategic plans for cultural district development and public art.
She lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, Jonathan, and has two adult sons, Brendan, and Wyeth.