About Michigan Maven
Michigan Maven Creative Associates believes in the power of values-driven arts administration that focuses on joyfully serving and creating community with patrons, partners, and employees.
Small and mid-size arts organizations make a difference in people’s lives every day, but the work is hard and can be lonely.
Michigan Maven aims to lend support, guidance, and perspective to help these organizations and their teams thrive.
Values
People First
Without good people, we don’t have art or arts organizations. Our employees, artists, patrons, and friends of the arts should be cared for in our work.
Collaboration
We achieve more when we work together in thoughtful and genuine ways.
Community
Our institutions should focus not only on building for the communities we have now, but the communities we want to have 50 years from now.
Inclusive Leadership
Good leadership is inclusive leadership. Leaders should be intentional about asking for and utilizing the talents, perspectives, and lived experiences of everyone on their teams, regardless of title or seniority.
Clients
TYA Tour Development Collective
Siegel Artist Management
River Raisin Centre for the Arts
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
Circus Pop! The Giant Bubble Show
Midwest Arts Xpo
Our Consultants
Katie Trzaska-Miller, Founder
Katie Trzaska-Miller is the founder and principal consultant of Michigan Maven Creative Associates, helping arts organizations strengthen community impact through artistic planning, engagement strategy, programming, and organizational leadership. With nearly two decades of experience in the performing arts sector, she brings deep expertise in artist relations, community engagement, educational programming, and venue management.
Katie has held leadership roles at Midland Center for the Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Playhouse at White Lake, and has been a dedicated advocate for Michigan's arts community through service with the Michigan Presenters Network and the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan. A theater-maker, mentor, and champion for accessibility and inclusion, she is passionate about helping organizations build meaningful connections, expand access to the arts, and create vibrant experiences for their communities.
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Mary Jennings, Creative Associate
Mary Jennings helps arts, sports, and nonprofit organizations grow revenue and build stronger teams through executive coaching and consulting in leadership, HR, marketing, revenue strategy, community engagement, and program and event management. With leadership experience at the Grand Rapids Rise, Grand Rapids Ballet, and Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, she brings a rare blend of operational rigor and audience-first thinking to every engagement.
