Welcome Michelle, Acting Executive Director

I am honored to serve as the Acting Executive Director for Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center, and I thank the Board of Directors for supporting my appointment. Serving as Education Director for over four years has positioned me well to assume this new leadership role.

I am originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. My husband John and I have lived in Wisconsin, Utah, and Oklahoma before moving to Michigan in 2000 for his role as a professor in the College of Education at MSU. We made Michigan our home and raised our three now-adult children. I enjoy reading, gardening, running and walking our dog Murphy.

Learning, arts access, collaboration, and new challenges are what I love about this work! For over 20 years in the arts, I’ve developed expertise in events management and community engagement. I hold a Master of Public Administration with specialized training in non-profit management and a Spanish Language degree.

I’m well-prepared to lead Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center. Since 2017, I’ve led access to the arts through educational mission-driven programs. I’m most proud of Art Ability Bags, Art Alliance, and Artist Talks. They are an integral part of our work that inspires and ignites a passion for the visual arts, providing a forum for self-expression and community engagement. Together with the Gallery’s exhibitions and retail Gallery, these projects demonstrate how the Gallery shares arts experiences with the greater community. The initiatives are a launchpad for new modes of expression that can help all form connections with art.

I am grateful for Barb Whitney’s leadership. The Gallery has grown and excelled under her direction and is indebted to her passion and devotion. Our organization is thriving; our stellar staff accomplished Board of Directors, talented artists, dedicated, passionate donors, members, and friends also contribute to the Gallery’s success and stability. I am thankful and excited to be working in the Lansing community. Lansing embraces the arts, is working hard together and figuring out solutions to complex problems. I am committed to the future of Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center and look forward to my continued service as the Acting Executive Director.

Our Gallery community is in a beautiful place, and I look forward to working with you. I invite you to visit and begin a conversation by contacting me at michelle@lansingartgallery.org.

Kind regards,

Michelle Carlson