Michelle Higgins
About Michelle Higgins
Michelle Higgins is the Manager of Strategic Engagement at SMU DataArts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a background in community engagement and cultural affairs.
Current Role at SMU DataArts
Michelle Higgins serves as the Manager of Strategic Engagement at SMU DataArts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In her role, she focuses on developing and operationalizing strategies to enhance relationships with national constituent groups. Her efforts are aimed at connecting tools and resources with arts and cultural organizations, service and research organizations, and grantmakers. By measuring engagement analytics of the DataArts technology platform, she prioritizes new strategies to meet user needs and increase the platform's value.
Previous Experience at DataArts
Before her current role, Michelle Higgins was the Community Engagement Manager at DataArts from 2016 to 2018. During her time in the Greater Philadelphia Area, she worked on various initiatives to foster community engagement. Her work contributed significantly to the organization's outreach and connection strategy, enabling better interaction with the arts and cultural community.
Founding the Israeli Jazz & World Music Festival
Michelle Higgins founded and directed the Israeli Jazz & World Music Festival from 2012 to 2015 in Chicago. Her leadership in creating and managing the festival contributed to the cultural landscape of the city, providing a platform for Israeli and world music artists to showcase their talents. This role uniquely combined her skills in cultural management and event coordination.
Director of Cultural Affairs at Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest
From 2011 to 2015, Michelle Higgins worked as the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest in Greater Chicago Area. In this capacity, she facilitated cultural exchanges and promoted Israeli culture in the Midwest region. Her role involved coordinating events, managing cultural programs, and fostering relationships with local communities and cultural organizations.
Educational Background
Michelle Higgins holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University - Cox School of Business, where she studied from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor's of Music, focusing on Music Education and Music Performance, from The University of Georgia, completing her studies in 2009. Her educational background combines both creative arts and business management, which supports her multi-faceted role in strategic engagement and community outreach.