Miya Tsukazaki is a creative placemaking strategist, cultural producer, and artist whose work explores the intersection of art, place, culture, and community. A Hilo native and founder of Temple Children, established in 2015, Miya has spent more than a decade developing multidisciplinary projects that use art and creative practice to activate public spaces, strengthen communities, and create more meaningful connections to place.
Her approach to creative placemaking combines public art, cultural programming, socially engaged design, storytelling, and community collaboration. She has led and curated projects across Hawaiʻi and the continental United States, including Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, Maui, Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, working with artists, cultural practitioners, nonprofits, municipalities, and community partners.
Miya holds a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and a J.D. and Certificate in Environmental Law from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Her interdisciplinary background informs a holistic approach to place-based work—connecting artistic vision with cultural context, environmental stewardship, community identity, and long-term sustainability.
She is the co-founder of Hawaiʻi Art Hui and Creative Director of Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance (HIAA), where she continues to advance opportunities for artists and expand access to art and culture across Hawaiʻi Island.
At the core of Miya’s practice is a belief that thoughtfully designed creative spaces can transform how people experience, understand, and connect with their communities. Her work is grounded in collaboration, cultural respect, and a deep connection to Hawaiʻi.
