Michael Orlove has been director of regional, state, local partnerships and international activities director for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) since April 2019. Prior to this role, he was director of presenting and multidisciplinary works and artist communities for the NEA since 2012. Previously, Michael spent 19 years as senior program director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. His tenure with the department led to nearly two decades of innovation, creativity, and passion for public service with the City of Chicago. Michael helped transform the Chicago Cultural Center into a prime downtown performing arts venue, as well as launched Chicago SummerDance and World Music Festival: Chicago, two staples in the summer festival season. Michael also served as the director of music programming in Millennium Park since its grand opening in 2004 and helped establish many of the program series at that venue. Honors include being named one of the "Chicagoans of the Year" in music by the Chicago Tribune in both 1999 and 2009. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in performing arts management from Columbia College, Chicago.