Michael Pusey

Background

About Michael Pusey

Michael is an artist, researcher, and advisor whose work is centered on people and organizational clarity. They have consulted across the arts and culture sector, supporting non-profits, museums, and philanthropic organizations with skills in leadership development, organizational design, strategic communications, HR strategy, and program design. At the MacArthur Foundation, Michael works on the New Work Exploration program, supporting the mandate to identify emergent areas of grantmaking, programs, and practices that offer significant impact and support the mission of a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. Prior to joining the foundation, Michael was the Assistant Director of United States Artists, a national arts organization known for its fellowship programs and services for artists. During his tenure, they served as one of the lead researchers for Disability Futures, co-developing the nation's largest award fellowship for disabled artists in American history. They helped operationalize Artist Relief, a nearly $25 million initiative that provided emergency grants to artists facing dire emergencies due to COVID-19. As the deputy below the CEO, he led culture and policy projects, including developing and implementing paid leave for survivors of intimate partner violence, and co-managed a staff of seventeen people.