Marieke creates miniature experiences that explore the dynamics between high and low technologies…

Marieke Van Der Maelen works as an experience and curriculum design specialist with over 25 years of experience as a producer, creative director and technical liaison, and performing artist in the live music and entertainment industry. She strongly believes that social justice, art, and education go hand in hand.

Wanting to extend a hand back and bring art, science, and social justice practices to future generations, she received accreditation and endorsements in multiple STEM subjects under the Illinois Board of Education. She is considered one of the first highly qualified educators under NCLB guidelines. Currently, she integrates live performance and dance with that of both high and low technologies. She has most recently helped develop STEaM curriculum for outreach programs at Carnegie Mellon and Stanford Universities. She also developed and taught a Kinetic Design Course for industry professionals through the Themed Entertainment Creative Academy in 2021.

Her diverse background in performing arts, entertainment technology, and education has allowed her to communicate across multiple disciplines and create evocative musical productions, experiences, and social justice campaigns for audiences of all ages. Her career in live entertainment and performing arts spans over two decades, during which she toured and worked with Grammy Award winning artists including John Williams, Howard Levy, Liz Carroll, and William Coulter. She also has had the honor of giving a private performance for Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and former President of Ireland upon request.

Her diverse interests continue to inform her work during the Covid-19 Lockdown. She explores new ways to combine counter narratives with smart technologies and 1:12 scale miniatures by adapting them into interactive art experiences. It is important to her that her work, in spite of its small scale, still maintains structural integrity, artistic detail, and function. She believes these experiences will provide a more accessible alternative to traditional themed entertainment.