Mia McGill (they/them) has been working at Arts Midwest since 2021, and is a Communications Specialist. Before that, they worked with various arts nonprofits in communications and event planning roles.
At Arts Midwest, Mia spends their days writing press releases, designing graphics, and creating content for Arts Midwest’s website and social media channels. They also work with the Programs and Grants teams to collaborate on promotional campaigns for initiatives like the GIG Fund, World Fest, and NEA Big Read, among others. They do this using their skills in design, copywriting, and promotional strategy that they gained in their time at various nonprofits, including Fredericksburg All Ages and the Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence. Mia’s contributions to Arts Midwest include their implementation of the first comprehensive video campaign for the NEA Big Read in 2021 and the development and launch of the Midwest Makers video series in 2024.
Some of the content Mia has created for Arts Midwest includes:
- 80/35 Powers Des Moines Music
- This Midwestern City is the ‘Frozen Custard Capital of the World’
- Did You Know About Barbie’s Midwestern Roots?
The most common questions Mia gets asked about their work are:
What do you want to see Arts Midwest doing in its comms strategy next?
Become social media influencers! Once I get our staff to learn a Tik Tok dance, it’s game over.
What are some of your favorite arts organizations in the region?
Locally, I’m a huge fan of what Public Functionary is doing to support the growth of BIPOC artists in the Twin Cities. As a self-proclaimed film buff, I also have a soft spot for the Artcraft Theater in Franklin, Indiana and the great work they do as an affordable, volunteer-run repertory cinema!
Why should I follow Arts Midwest on social media?
You can still get updates on grants and programs from our website, but you can’t get my superb playlists anywhere else!
A little more about Mia:
Mia’s favorite Midwestern artist is writer Hanif Abdurraqib—they’re never able to put his books down and was recently moved to tears by one of his Instagram captions. Mia is creatively energized by live music, Wawa hoagies, and 80s horror films.
Mia is passionate about community-centric and place-based arts programming, and they’re very excited to expand partnerships with media organizations across the Midwest as part of Arts Midwest’s new storytelling initiatives with the Creativity News Desk. They’re looking forward to exploring more arts organizations and experiences throughout the region in the coming years.
When Mia isn’t working, they can be found photographing concerts, hosting bar trivia, arranging music, and being really interesting and famous on television.
If you feel so inspired, you can also connect with them on LinkedIn.
