Today I’m celebrating moments of growth and sharing a transition in the evolution of my creative career.
I am an artist, first and foremost. The arts are the lens through which I see the world. In my studio practice, I explore emotion, perception, and time through mixed media paintings. For the past two years, I have served as the Artist in Residence with Lansing Community College through MI ACE. Through this project, I have had the honor of creating a new body of work inspired by learning, leadership, and women.
I experience joy daily teaching and learning at MSU. My appointment has grown over the past year, and I am profoundly grateful for students’ curiosity, insight, and imagination. In addition, for the past three years, I’ve served as Arts Coordinator with Ingham Intermediate School District in partnership with Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Alongside our team, I’ve had the joy of fostering local, statewide, and national connections.
Since 2023, I’ve worked closely with MI Creative Potential (MCP) to help shape the early phases of development, operations, storytelling, and more. Our work with MCP and MAEIA has been supported by the Michigan Assessment Consortium, which also supported my participation in the Education Policy Fellowship Program.
In addition to national data and policy work with Arts Education Partnership, I participated in a national arts education think tank: REACH. I’ve been honored to work at the intersection of equity and the arts, representing Michigan nationally and learning alongside communities in Tulsa, Chicago, Sarasota, New Orleans, and more.
As the work at MI Creative Potential enters a new phase and as my work continues to evolve, I am stepping away from my role as Director of Operations. I am deeply grateful to Heather Vaughan-Southard, Kathy Dewsbury-White, and our incredible partners and community of collaborators.
I remain committed to advancing access, equity, and excellence in the arts, and in education. Regardless of external factors, joy sustains my work and invites others in. Like any meaningful work of art, this creative practice continues to evolve, and I’m looking forward to next steps!
Barb Whitney Art & Consulting 