Our Staff

Select a staff member's portrait to view their bio!

Meghan Martin
Meghan Martin
meghan@lansingarts.org
(517) 853-7581
Executive Director
Dawn Gorman
Dawn Gorman
dawn@lansingarts.org
(517) 853-7584
Communications Manager
Taylor Haslett
Taylor Haslett
taylor@lansingarts.org
(517) 853-7582
Membership & Program Manager
Tabor Vits
Tabor Vits
tabor@lansingarts.org
(517)853-7583
Program Assistant
Michelle Weinfeld-Geller
Michelle Weinfeld-Geller
michelle@lansingarts.org
517- 372-4636
Administrative Assistant
Ryan Logan
Ryan Logan
ryan@lansingarts.org
Graphic Designer

Our Board

As a mission-based non-profit organization, we are so honored to have active, passionate, insightful and dedicated individuals on our board of directors. If you would like to be considered for board membership, please contact executive director Meghan Martin at 517-372-4636 ext. 2 or by email at meghan@lansingarts.org.

2022-2023 Board Members

Ami Iceman-Haueter,
Ami Iceman-Haueter,
President
AVP of Research and Digital Experience
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Taylor Gast,
Taylor Gast,
Vice President
Attorney
Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Janet Lillie,
Janet Lillie,
Secretary
Asst. Vice President for Community Relations
MSU Office of Governmental Affairs
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Kathie Feldpausch,
Kathie Feldpausch,
Treasurer
Director of Finance at Communities in Schools of Michigan
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Rachel Elsinga
Rachel Elsinga
Community Assistance Team Community Development
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Lolo Robison
Lolo Robison
Director of Marketing
Capital Area Transportation Authority
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Julie Pingston
Julie Pingston
President & CEO
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
See the full list of past and current board members here.
Previous Board Members
Previous Board Members
Close to 200 individuals have served as past and current board members of the Arts Council, and left their indelible hand prints on the extraordinary work that we have accomplished.
See the full list of past and current board members here.

2022-2023 Committee Assignments

If you would like to join a committee or are interested in learning more, please contact executive director Meghan Martin at meghan@lansingarts.org.

Executive - Board Members Only

The Executive Committee of the Board may exercise any powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business affairs of the Corporation during the period between Board meetings. They will serve as the annual evaluation committee of the Executive Director and will serve as the board development committee in the recruitment of candidates to the Board. They will also develop plans for annual Board orientation and oversee board professional development opportunities.

Chair: Ami Iceman-Haueter

Members:

Taylor Gast, Kathie Feldpausch, Janet Lillie

Finance 

Develop annual operational budget. Review financial policies and procedures. Provide financial oversight and address other financial issues, including investments, as needed.  

Chair:  Kathie Feldpausch

Members:  

Kristi Izzat, Julie Pingston, Andrea Binoniemi, Nanette Pearson, Jill Feldpausch

Advocacy

The Arts Council is a regional leader for arts advocacy and works actively at the local, state, and national levels to assist constituents in voicing important issues regarding arts education, cultural economic development, cultural tourism and cultural issues. Assist in defining talking points, making contacts locally and statewide to address issues of importance to our arts and cultural community.  This committee will also provide advocacy and support in the development of ideas that would add resources to our members and clients including but not limited to the creation of a United Arts Fund, County Millage, collective Municipal Support for operations, etc.

Chair: Ami Iceman-Haueter

Members:

Rachel Elsinga, Janet Lillie, Julie Pingston, Andie Poole, Jessy Gregg

Board Development

As a committee of the Board of Directors, the Board Development Committee helps the Board carry out the due diligence functions of good governance. This committee focuses on the healthy development and operation of the board, its committees and task forces, and the performance of the individual board member.

  • Monitor the Board’s due diligence function as it relates to governance and recommend actions.
  • Periodically review policies, systems, and structures related to good governance. As necessary, recommend adjustments to the Board for action. 
  • Review and recommend systems, structures, and policies for optimum composition of the Board, including diversity screens, necessary skills, and required behaviors.
  • Design and execute an intentional process to recruit, orient, and train the best Board members to help achieve the mission.

Chair: Taylor Gast

Members:

Lolo Robison, Ami Iceman-Haueter

Fund Development

As a committee of the Board of Directors, helps the Board carry out its due diligence function related to assuring fiscal health through philanthropy and fund development. Partners with staff to institutionalize the philanthropic process within the Board and its individual members, assuring a donor-centered organization.

  • Partner with the Board Development Committee to assure appropriate articulation of roles and performance expectations ins fund development (e.g., for Fund Development Committee Board, individual board members).
  • Devise and recommend philanthropy and fund development policies and recommend to the Board for action, including any limitation policies.
  • Help nurture a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, and assure that all donors of time and money are respected and honored.
  • Assure that the Board and individual Board members are adequately educated about the basic principles and best practices in fund development, including the design of a donor-centered organization.
  • Through the fund development planning process: establish the charitable contributions goal for the annual budget; devise the annual fund development plan for action by the Board; and, recommend results and benchmarks for action by the Board.
  • Review results and evaluate return on investment (ROI) compared to plan. Identify trends and implications and engage the Board in strategic dialogue and decision-making regarding philanthropy and fund development.
  • Help the Board articulate the case for philanthropic support directed at specific audiences.
  • Provide personal follow-up to individual Board members to monitor their participation.

Chair: Rachel Elsinga

Members:

Kathie Feldpausch, Taylor Gast, Ami Iceman-Haueter, Andie Poole

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The purpose of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is to bring together members of the arts community to discuss, communicate and create collaborations as we strengthen our commitment and actively engage a multi-cultural and inclusive population in Arts Council programming and decision making.

Chair:

Members:

Kathie Feldpausch, Janet Lillie, Lolo Robison, Shaina Reed, Sara Morin

Our Internships

Photo of Interns

The Arts Council recognizes that on-the-job experience plays an important role in advancing the careers of arts, nonprofit, and cultural leaders. Likewise, we believe our organization benefits from the creativity and curiosity of students and young professionals who join our ranks. Our internship program takes great care to offer opportunities that make the most of those mutual goals. So read on and find out if you are a fit for us!

Where do you fit in?

Do you love art in all its vast, amazing, crazy, mind-stretching forms? Do you love creatives (painters, photographers, poets, dancers, sketchers, singers, actors, film makers, ukuleleists, Sharpieists…you get the picture)? Do you see yourself as a creative, artistic person? Do you have an interest in non-profit work? Are you a student who’s crazy about communications, fancy at photography, delightful at design?

It could be you!

If, as you read the description above, your heart got a little fluttery or you were shouting “Yes, yes, yes!” in answer to many of the questions, you may be just the person we’re looking for!

We need some smart, friendly, hard-working, energetic, skilled young creatives to help us around the Arts Council office. To be an intern you must be a college student enrolled in a degree program and available to commit to a minimum of *10 hours per week, (or up to 20 hours), for a minimum of 3 months. Our internships are unpaid, but offer a whole lot of hands-on experience and opportunity to grow your skill-set. Some of our interns have gone on to hold great positions in the non-profit sector. Only totally committed people who love the arts and enjoy working on a team need apply.

Our interns

2014
Matthew Claudell
Marcus Fieldes
Danielle Grace 
2015
Claude Perry
Molly Signs-Rehmann
Taylor Rupp
2016
Alana Juliet
Kaliyah Jetton
Kasey Streets
2017
Alex Watts
Mary Claire Sherman
Jessica Carter
Taylor Gavin
Sadie Shattuck
2018
Aria Frawley
Jessica Zietz
Emily Davis
Emily Clark
Nick Perialas 
2019
Andrea Cota-Avila
Emily Clark
Emily Davis

Arts Council Internships

Communication INternships

Graphic Design Intern

Responsibilities:
Assist in developing marketing and branding
Help design a variety of printed materials, including banners, brochures, invitations, ads, etc.
Conceptualize and design graphics for web banners, projects, etc.
Update website content daily
Photograph various projects and events
Perform basic administrative duties, including answering phones, filing, running errands and other duties as needed

Skills:
Strong graphic design and typography skills
Solid eye for detail and composition
Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong multitasking and time management skills
Ability to work independently—a take it and run with it mentality
Creative thinking is a must!

NOTE: Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter.

Communications and Event Intern

Responsibilities:
Contribute to overall marketing and branding vision
Continually find, group, sort, organize, and share the best and most relevant content that aligns with the Arts Council’s mission
Build and maintain local and media contact lists
Provide support to communications manager and program director as needed
Work with communications manager to find influential blogs, videos, and other content that is in alignment with our mission for posting on social media sites
Create original content (i.e. commentary, opinions, headlines) to supplement curated material
Update opportunities and calendar of events section on website on a regular basis
Create marketing materials
Create method of curating videos and other materials for social media and website
Assist communications manager in maintaining and growing the Arts Council's presence on various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
Perform basic administrative duties, including answering phone, mailing, running errands, and other duties as needed

Skills:
Solid writing and communication skills
Ability to work quickly and on deadline
Interest or background in marketing, PR, and/or social media
Experience or interest in journalism, researching, and writing compelling stories about people and events
Understanding of grassroots/word-of-mouth marketing
Strong online search and research skills
Ability to find new sources of content across blogs, websites, and other curation sites
Ability to read and understand monthly website statistics, such as Google Analytics
Strong multitasking, organizational and time management skills
Well-versed on current social media trends and online video scene
Creative thinking is a must!

NOTE: Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter.

Photography and Videography Intern

Responsibilities:
Assist in developing a video program for promotion of the arts and the Arts Council Research and create best practices for video and photography
Photograph/video special events as needed
Photograph/video artist members and organizations
Edit video and create videos for YouTube and website
Edit photos for website
Perform basic administrative duties, including answering phone, mailing, running errands

Skills:
Experience in using video and creating videos for the web
Strong interest in video editing
Video editing experience
Digital design skills
Experience with Adobe products (Photoshop) is a plus
Ability to work in a team environment
Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
Strong multitasking and time management skills
Creative thinking is a must!

NOTE: Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter. This position will start at 5 –15 hours per week. Candidate must be available for our special fundraisers and other events as needed. Hours will be negotiable based on projects etc. Could be part of the graphic design position if the candidate has strong skills in both areas.

TO APPLY: Email your resume, cover letter and other details as outlined to dawn@lansingarts.org. Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter. Please put the type of internship you are applying for in the subject line and include your days/hours of availability in the cover letter.

Programming Internships

Program Intern

Responsibilities:
Work with program manager in the distribution of funding (develop contracts, set up review sessions, correspondence, manage application process through slideroom, etc.).
Research funding opportunitiesfrom local, statewide and national sources.
Invent and implement professional development workshops to enrich the knowledge of individual artists and arts administrators on current issues in the arts.
Work with communications manager to post influential blogs, videos and other content that is in alignment with our mission for posting on social media sites that is considered a funding resource to our membership base
Provide support to executive director and program manager as needed
Perform basic administrative duties, including answering phone, mailing, running errands and other duties as needed

Skills:
Solid writing and communication skills
Ability to work quickly and on deadline
Interest or background in grant programming
Strong online search and research skills
Ability to find new sources of content across blogs, websites, and other sites
Strong multitasking, organizational and time management skills
Creative thinking is a must!

NOTE: Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter.

TO APPLY: Email your resume, cover letter and any other details as outlined to meghan@lansingarts.org. Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter. Please put the type of internship you are applying for in the subject line and include your days/hours of availability in the cover letter.

Administration internships

Fund Development Intern

Responsibilities:
Contribute to overall fundraising vision for Arts Council including support from foundations, businesses, government, etc.
Research, create and expand database of funding deadlines, opportunities, and contacts from local, statewide and national sources
Help create and distribute sponsorship materials (letters, levels, benefits, forms) for fundraising events including A Taste of Art & Life, and Holiday Glitter
Provide follow-up by phone and email to solicit sponsorships
Work with communications manager to post influential blogs, videos and other content that is in alignment with our mission for posting on social media sites that is considered a funding resource to our membership base
Work with program manager in the distribution of funding (develop contracts, set up review sessions, correspondence, manage application process through slideroom, etc.)
Provide support to executive director and program manager as needed
Perform basic administrative duties, including answering phone, mailing, running errands and other duties as needed

Skills:
Solid writing and communication skills
Ability to work quickly and on deadline
Interest or background in fundraising
Strong online search and research skills
Ability to find new sources of content across blogs, websites, and other sites
Strong multitasking, organizational and time management skills
Creative thinking is a must!

NOTE: Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter.

TO APPLY: Email your resume, cover letter and any other details as outlined to meghan@lansingarts.org. Please include samples from your portfolio or links to your work with your cover letter. Please put the type of internship you are applying for in the subject line and include your days/hours of availability in the cover letter.

Build your own

Do you have another area of interest or study that you would like to pursue? We love to get creative with our internships and could build projects in programing, fundraising, administration and other areas. Simply email us with your proposal, resume and cover letter, and we will see what we can make!

Interested in what other creative internships are available around the region?

2019 Arts and Cultural Internship Opportunities Guide
This guide is currently being reviewed for 2022 opportunities!
If you are an organization member who would like to include your internship here,
please send us an email at info@lansingarts.org