Maintaining the arts

For Miah Michaelsen, the best part of her job as assistant economic development director for the arts for Bloomington is that she is surrounded by art all day. She has worked with a number of artists and organizations and also works with the community to solve economic development issues.\nThe BEAD project hopes to keep Bloomington alive as an arts community that is open to visitors and will help spur growth among artists, according to the strategic plan posted on the Bloomington’s Web site. According to the site, the three major goals of BEAD are to “Keep Bloomington Bloomington, Get People Here, and Keep People Here.”\n“The planning and implementation for the Bloomington Entertainment Arts District is the big kahuna right now,” Michaelsen said. “We just released the strategic plan, two weeks ago actually, and we’re working hard on implementation right now. That’s taking up the bulk of my time right now along with other public art initiatives that are happening in the community as well.”\nMichaelsen said she got her start working for government when she was appointed to the position on May 10, 2007, and she has been living in Bloomington since 2004, when her husband Jonathan Michaelsen became chair and producer of the IU Department of Theatre and Drama and the Brown County Playhouse.\n“I’ve never worked in government, so it was a pretty easy decision to take this opportunity, because to build something from scratch like the entertainment and arts district is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Michaelsen said.\nMichaelsen was interested in theater growing up and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Hendrix College in Arkansas. Born in El Dorado, Ark. in 1961, Michaelsen grew up in a creative environment filled with artistic energy. Her father worked as a creative director at a series of advertising agencies and was also active in theater while she was growing up. \nDespite her own love of theater, making time for rehearsals and performances has become hectic while raising her two sons, Michaelsen said. Yet, she said she finds more satisfaction in promoting the art of others and indulging in the performances of others in Bloomington.\n“It’s a creative outlet for me to see other people’s creative visions be realized, and I draw a lot of satisfaction for that for myself,” Michaelsen said. “Even though my involvement may just be bringing them to the attention of someone else who can help them achieve their vision or helping them find funding to fund their project, that, for me, is as fulfilling and satisfying as actually creating something myself.”\nWhile Michaelsen may be touched by the work of the artists, they are in turn touched by her dedication to the arts \nin Bloomington.\n“Her vision and tireless work has pulled Bloomington’s arts scene together,” said local jazz musician Monika Herzig.