Michael Johnson (he/him/his) has been working at Arts Midwest since 2018 and is a Program Manager. Before that, he spent nearly a decade championing a variety of local and international causes close to his heart with roles in development, communications, and project management.
At Arts Midwest, Michael spends his days connecting with community partners and working across departments to support a wide-ranging portfolio of capacity-building and storytelling initiatives such as Creating Connection, the Ideas Hub, and the Filling the Well podcast. He also enjoys pitching in to support other programs like World Fest and We the Many. He does this through practical lessons he gained from community organizing, as well as professional training in arts and cultural management.
A couple of Arts Midwest resources Michael is especially proud of include:
- Bringing Self Care into Organizational Culture
- Shifting Power in Your Organization and Community
- Building Belonging in Your Organization and Community
A little more about Michael:
Michael is most excited by dreaming up new programming and is always eager to incorporate your ideas for supporting, informing, and celebrating Midwestern creativity in all its forms.
Right now Michael is creatively energized by Hawona Sullivan Janzen whose Love Letters for the Midway and Rondo Family Reunion projects explore the nature of love, loss, grief, and hope.
When Michael isn’t working, he is probably taking notes about or tinkering with some unfinished art project. He also cannot go a day without a long walk with his partner to plot their next life adventure.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, or in person over a cup of coffee.
