MICA Board Member Interviews | Virl Hill

In the next few weeks, we will be interviewing many of our board members to assemble a brief, personal profile on each of the people behind MICA! Our second interview was with Virl Hill.

Mr. Hill grew up in an arts filled family, and as a kid took part in acting, piano, choir, plays, and musicals. He has always been around arts and culture, and is now involved professionally. Hill explained that he fully understands the vital role that arts can play in “educating our kids, providing an outlet for people of all ages, and bringing people together in the community.” He joined the board of MICA because he strongly believes that it is very important that arts are prevalent in any community.

Hill believes that there are both short-term and long-term reasons that we need an arts center on the island. Immediately, there are arts organizations on the island and in the surrounding area that are either in borrowed space, or not flourishing or reaching their full potential as they could if we had a space like MICA. This would also help the already existing MI arts organizations gain more visibility in the community. Also, as the island evolves, its important that the downtown does not just grow and expand, but that “downtown also has a pulse and an energy.” Hill believes that “an arts center can be that magnet.”

When asked how Mercer Islanders can support MICA, Hill explained that: “Its so easy. Just tell people that you care about this. Email the city council. Write letters to the MI Reporter. Participate in community visioning sessions. Be there.” He also stressed how important it is for the community to continue sharing feedback so that MICA knows what Islanders want in a future arts center.

Keep an eye out for more board member profiles to come!