Elysia Dawn appointed to Florida Council on Arts and Culture

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo officially appointed Elysia Dawn, Executive Director of United Arts Collier, to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The council is comprised of 15 members who have been appointed to advise the Secretary of State regarding cultural grant funding and on matters pertaining to arts and culture in Florida. Appointments to the Council are determined by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

In response to her appointment, Dawn shared, “Senator Passidomo is an inspiration for  unprecedented leadership coming from Collier County. I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to serve the arts in our great state by joining the illustrious ranks of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. This is a testament to the effective work United Arts Collier is doing in and for our community and I look forward to expanding my responsibilities to serving all the arts for all of Collier and beyond.”

UAC Board President Gregg Zavodny added, “Elysia’s vision and dedication have already transformed our organization, and she will bring the same passion and innovation to the arts community statewide.”

Dawn is a Naples native and returned home to step into the role of Executive Director of UAC in November of 2022 following her work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and as a professional ballet dancer touring worldwide. She received her MS degree in Nonprofit Management and her Art History and Business Management BA degrees from Columbia University. Since her return, she was selected to become a member of Leadership Collier Class of 2024 and has reinvigorated the arts at UAC and in Collier County. She will continue in her role as Executive Director of United Arts Collier in addition to joining the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.