Mission

My personal mission is to challenge myself and others to think deeply about our world, in a way that challenges us to better relate to one another and the planet.

As a writer, editor, and consultant, my particular interests are to encourage recognition of the fundamental importance of the arts and creativity as means for humans of all ages to connect meaningfully, and to facilitate the use of the written word and images as tools for promoting and effecting change where change is needed.

On a personal level, my creative work engages my intellect, imagination, and spirit as means for self-discovery and greater aesthetic understanding.

Background

Julianna Thibodeaux is perhaps best known for her work as senior art critic for the Indianapolis alternative newspaper Nuvo Newsweekly , to which she has contributed reviews, features, and news stories regularly since 1995. Thibodeaux earned an arts criticism award for her writing in Nuvo from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2002. Her writing also has appeared nationally in ARTnews , New Art Examiner , and Native Peoples , among other publications.

Thibodeaux served as editor-in-chief of arts indiana magazine for several years before pursuing a full-time freelance career. She serves frequently as guest lecturer and panelist on arts-related or writing topics, teaches journalism as an adjunct instructor at the university level, and in 2007 she developed and began teaching the class “The Mother's Room” at the Writers' Center of Indiana .

Thibodeaux graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, later pursuing graduate work in art history, English literature, and creative writing. A 2002 Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Fellowship gave her the opportunity to travel and focus on her creative writing and visual art. She is currently working towards a low-residency MFA in Interdisciplinary Art at Goddard College in Plainfield , Vermont .

Thibodeaux supports the consciousness research of the Institute of Noetic Sciences as a long-time member and has served on the boards of directors for the Writers' Center of Indiana and Central Indiana Friends of Jung for several years. Other interests include sailing, dancing, jogging, hiking, piano, and ongoing study in Jungian and depth psychology, spirituality, and consciousness studies.

She and her husband, Stefan, live with their three daughters and two dogs in a 1925 bungalow undergoing constant restoration and endless repairs. Their favorite place to spend time as a family is on the front porch.