As a mixed-methods researcher with years of experience as a practicing artist and art administrator, Michal specializes in quantifying impacts that resist simple measurement. His work focuses on demonstrating the contributions of arts and culture to individual and communal well-being, helping local and regional practitioners understand and articulate the impact of their work, and grounding quantitative findings in qualitative community engagement. At the heart of Michal’s work is the belief that research projects only create change when they account for the people, their relationships, and the dynamics that shape how decisions get made. He works closely with clients to navigate those dynamics, building the consensus and shared vision that turn findings into informed strategy.

Michal’s research spans both national and local scales. He co-authored a report on a national survey of nearly 500 Latinx/é arts and culture organizations. Produced in partnership with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) and the Wallace Foundation, the report is among the first comprehensive empirical portraits of this sector. He has also played a key role in a research partnership with First Peoples Fund focused on mapping and strengthening arts ecosystems in Indigenous communities throughout the US. On a local scale, he guided Charlotte, North Carolina’s Cultural Plan, grounding the city’s strategy and communications in how residents across neighborhoods interact with and experience arts and culture. He also co-created evaluation frameworks for both the Terra Foundation for American Art and Navy Pier in Chicago, helping each organization build consistent, community-grounded approaches to tracking their impact, from developing theories of change to designing the quantitative instruments that make impact measurable.

Prior to joining NORC, Michal was an active composer and performer of classical music, having performed in the United States and internationally. He founded two companies to support musicians and visual artists in building more sustainable careers. His master’s thesis produced statistical evidence that access to arts and culture positively impacts social well-being in Chicago, linking physical security, mental health, and educational outcomes to cultural participation.