The Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s board of directors is pleased to announce their decision to appoint Meghan Martin as permanent executive director of the Arts Council. Martin steps into the role succeeding Deborah Mikula, who served as the executive director for five years. Mikula left the Arts Council in May 2019 to accept a leadership role with the Michigan Libraries Association, and Martin stepped into the interim position at that time.
Martin first joined the Arts Council’s staff in 2017 as program manager, a role she held for two years. As program manager, Martin took on the leadership of the annual Creative Placemaking Summit, as well as other placemaking training and management, grant management, professional development workshops and organization outreach. In 2019, Martin was one of 15 arts and culture professionals to complete the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affair’s inaugural “Rising Leaders” leadership program.
“Meghan is the perfect leader for the Arts Council—intelligent, inquisitive, collaborative and a passionate community builder,” said Patty Barnas, Arts Council board president. “During Meghan’s time as interim director, she demonstrated her ability to strengthen and build relationships in the community and brought a fresh perspective to the work the Arts Council does overall. She will be a strong leader for the organization.”
In her role, Martin will serve as leader to the Arts Council team, which includes membership and program manager Taylor Haslett, communications and events manager Dawn Gorman and graphic designer Ryan Logan.
In accepting the position, Martin noted, “I feel extremely proud and fortunate to be a part of the growing, generous and supportive arts and culture community that exists in Greater Lansing. Our region’s talented artists and arts organizations, and our extended creative community, are at the heart of the work we do, and we have an exciting future ahead of us. I look forward to partnering with them and the Arts Council staff and board to set a vision not only for the Arts Council, but for our region.”
“Meghan is an excellent choice, and we are delighted to have her take on the role as executive director,” said Barnas. “This is an exciting next chapter for the organization, and the board is looking forward to working together with Meghan to grow in new directions.”