Morning Session: Deploying Arts and Culture Assets to Grow Economic and Community Prosperity in the Indiana Uplands

Miah Michaelsen is the Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), where she advances the agency’s mission to champion and invest in arts and creativity to strengthen Indiana’s people and communities.  Current projects include administering the IAC’s America250 grant program and serving as a partner to the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI) Arts and Culture Initiative, funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
 
Before joining the Arts Commission, Michaelsen served as the first Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts for the City of Bloomington, Indiana. In that role, she developed and implemented programming and services offered to the creative sector by the City of Bloomington and its state-designated cultural district, the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD).  

She lives in Bloomington with her husband, Jonathan, and has two adult sons, Brendan and Wyeth.

Marce Johnson is a lifelong Owen County resident and the CEO of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development, serving as Owen County’s Local Economic Development Officer. Since 2019, she has helped lead more than $120 million in community and economic investment, with projects spanning broadband, housing, childcare, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and quality of place.

Marce is passionate about bringing people and ideas together to create opportunity in rural communities. She has helped lead major broadband and housing initiatives, launched The Exchange Center for Entrepreneurship, and championed programs that strengthen connection and belonging throughout the county. A lifelong nonprofit leader and creative, Marce also serves as Executive Director of La Campagne Ministries. She is a photographer, artist, and graphic designer. She holds an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design and is a Master Economic Development Practitioner.

Marce believes in making a plan, working the plan, and be willing to adjust the plan when needed.

Erin Kelley is the Assistant Director of Indiana University Arts and Humanities. Her work focuses primarily on developing multi-disciplinary research teams and pursuing high-profile fellowships with arts and humanities faculty. She previously worked as the Program Manager for Platform, a $2 million Mellon-Foundation- funded initiative at Indiana University Bloomington.

Paige Sharp is the Assistant Director of the Arts for the City of Bloomington. Before stepping into her role with the City of Bloomington, she built a 20+ year career in arts philanthropy and community development across Indiana. Notably, she spent 11 years at the Indiana Arts Commission, serving as the Deputy Director of Programs and Chief Equity Officer. She also has extensive experience in museum arts education, having previously held positions at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. Additionally, she operates a private consultancy, Sharp Visionarts LLC.

Julie Halbig is Vice President for Economic and Community Development at Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), where she helps advance regional initiatives that enhance the competitiveness and livability of the Indiana Uplands. Working across 11 counties, she collaborates with local governments, community organizations, and regional partners to identify initiatives that promote long-term success and help communities thrive.

Halbig helped lead the creation of the Indiana Uplands Regional Arts and Culture Plan, which established a shared vision for the role of arts and culture in the region’s future. Developed through extensive engagement with artists, residents, and community leaders, the plan highlights regional assets and outlines strategies to expand creative opportunities, celebrate local identity, and position the Indiana Uplands as a destination for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.