Michael Baum left the plains of the Dakotas in his early twenties for the mountain ranges of California, Wyoming, Montana, Washington and Alaska. His interactions with nature and the wilderness became the impetus for his graduate studies in fine art, which he completed at Washington State University with an emphasis in drawing and printmaking. Michael is currently an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Black Hills State University, South Dakota.

His current drawings have been exhibited at Site: Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, The Tucker Cooke Gallery, UNC Asheville and featured in INDA 9, International DRAWING Annual. His work has been selected for the South Dakota Governor's 6th & 7th Biennial Art Exhibitions. Michael is the recipient a career development grant from the South Dakota Arts Council.
 
Regionally his work has been featured at The Plains Art Museum, the South Dakota Art Museum, the John A. Day Gallery at University of South Dakota, and The Dahl Arts Center. His work has also been accepted into multiple public collections, which include the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Oregon, the Museum of Art/WSU in Washington, the Boise Art Museum, Idaho, and the Missoula Art Museum.