Executive Director, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Lansing, Michigan
John became Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in June of 2006, after having served as Director of Programs from 1998.
John is currently serving his first three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, has served on a programmatic task force for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and as a grant reviewer for the states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida and Arkansas as well as the Kresge Foundation. He is also currently a lecturer at the University of Michigan in Flint for the Rackham Graduate School in Arts Administration.
Prior to his tenure at MCACA, Mr. Bracey headed up the Communications and Educational programs for the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. In that capacity he worked on statewide as well as national campaigns, including the Detroit Challenge with the California based Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving and the Education Committee of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. He also served as legislative contact for the agency and was appointed Ombudsman for the Commission during the privatization of its warehousing operations.
Before his state service, Mr. Bracey spent nine years as a journalist, working as a reporter, news editor and managing editor. Bracey attended the University of Michigan in Flint, earning his degree in Philosophy, concentrating in aesthetics. His graduate work has been in liberal studies concentrating in American Culture and he currently lectures on grant writing at the University of Michigan Flint for the Arts Administration graduate program.
Much earlier, like many good Flint residents, Bracey worked nine years for General Motors, Chevrolet Truck Assembly, in various assembly line positions (which, by the way, explains the degree in Philosophy.)
John enjoys writing, and occasionally publicly reading poetry, The Detroit Tigers and nearly all music. He is married to Dianne and has two children Denise and Dan, a daughter-in-law Amy, and one incredible grandchild Hailey…(pictures on request)