Meet Michael Buckius | Co-Founder and Program Director at Recovery Center for the Arts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Buckius and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t think I ever had a choice. I started making films when I was 12 and dedicating serious time to writing by the time I was 17, but even before that I was this weird creative kid. I’m neurodivergent so I had difficulty forming friendships. I think art was a way to try and develop connections with other people, a way to jumpstart a conversation. As I got older I knew I wanted a career where I could create. I wanted to be a filmmaker but I didn’t know the path forward, so I pivoted to creative writing and academia. None of these paths worked out how I thought they would, especially academia. I somehow figured out how to do all of the things I love just by being open to opportunities and taking chances. So today I run an arts-centered drug treatment facility, I adjunct at the film program at ASU, and I still make films and write like I always have.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s hard to talk about my art because I’m my toughest critic and biggest supporter at the same time. I think artists have to be. I’m most proud of my music videos, writing, and my business. There are certain videos I’ve done for bands that I return to and think, yes, that is a great video. It’s important that the musicians are happy too, and it makes me feel good when they get additional exposure because people are sharing the video. As far as my writing I think I’m most proud of my full-length poetry collection Mustache In Plain Sight. It took a long time to put that together and find a publisher who was willing to put it out. The business I co-own and I’m the program director for, Recovery Center for the Arts, is something relatively new. We opened in November 2023 and it’s been incredibly challenging. I was fortunate enough to have a relationship with some people who believed in the idea of a drug treatment program that revolves around the arts. It’s an idea I had for a long time so it still doesn’t feel fully real that it exists. I’m a recovering addict, so it’s important to me to help that community in some way. Since so many addicts are creative people it felt like something that should exist, and now it does.
Nothing has come easy. Everything I’ve achieved was because I refuse to give up and settle and because I had the right people there to support me. Everything I’ve gone through has taught me the value of community, without it we have nothing. If we don’t nuture our communities and support one another we are doomed as a society.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love the Welcome Diner and Buena Vida Bodega. They are across the street from one another so you can find me there at least once a week. For shows I like to go to Trunkspace (hopefully they’ll find a new space soon!) or Linger Longer Lounge (which also has the best hot dogs in the city). If someone is visiting from out of town they will definitely be coming with me to Wasted Ink Zine Distro and Palabras. And if the weather is good my favorite hiking spot is Dreamy Draw. As far as food? Taqueria La Hacienda on Buckeye. There are a lot of places that come to mind but these were the first.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The creative community in Phoenix. I feel like I found a home here. As much as I think Phoenix could do better in so many ways it is the place where I blossomed as an artist and where I started my business.

Website: mikebuckius.com, rcfta.com

Instagram: @mikebuckius

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelbuckius/

Twitter: @mikebuckius

Other: https://vimeo.com/mikebuckius