Collier County has built a reputation as a mecca for the arts. International travelers flock to Naples not only for the pleasant mix of museums, renowned galleries on Fifth Avenue and Third Street, and stunning outdoor art fairs and festivals, but also for opera, symphony concerts, ballet, and regional cuisine. Recently, United Arts Collier launched a project to document the role of the arts in Collier’s development and global reputation.
“United Arts Collier, in partnership with Florida Humanities, is launching an ambitious, multi-year, statewide initiative called the Collier Arts Archive… an online archive of people’s memories and memorabilia that tells the story of how the arts came to be in Collier, sheds light on where we are now, and looks at what we want to do with it in the future,” said UAC Director Elysia Dawn.
The archive uses a broad definition of “art” and includes artwork, performance pieces, songs and live music from local artists, literature, and exquisite dishes from local restaurants that are not to be missed.
“All of these things, we believe, have shaped our identity in the areas of art and culture and we want to have them in this archive,” Dawn added.
To create the archive, United Arts asks arts organizations, historical societies and Collier citizens to contribute images, stories, songs and recipes related to the development of the arts in Collier County.
“We want to learn everything about how we got to where we are today and we are looking for all kinds of stories and objects to help us tell that story,” Dawn added.
As it grows, the Archives will not only be an online library with a wealth of information about the arts in Collier County, but also a center for outreach activities such as exhibitions, lecture series, and walking tours. It will also provide participating organizations and individuals with a rare opportunity to become a permanent part of Collier’s artistic legacy.
“It’s not just about celebrating the arts for art’s sake, although that’s honorable, but really about celebrating what the arts do for the community, and I think we’ll hear all kinds of fun, interesting and surprising stories about how the arts have served our community over the years,” Dawn concluded.
MORE INFORMATION
United Arts Collier is the local arts agency for Collier County. As the heart of the arts in Collier County, it serves as the community umbrella organization for the arts, the chamber of commerce for the arts, and the liaison between all arts organizations, artists, and art lovers throughout Collier County. UAC develops mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships between people, organizations, and businesses across all arts disciplines, which in turn positively impacts opportunity and growth for all in Collier and beyond. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, UAC relies on generous corporate, grant, and individual support to successfully promote all the arts for all of Collier, especially in light of Governor Ron DeSantis’ veto of all state-funded arts grants, including the grant for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, which was approved by the Florida Legislature.
Since 1973, Florida Humanities has been the statewide nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). As such, it is committed to sharing Florida’s stories by promoting a better understanding of the state’s history, heritage, cultures, and literature. Florida Humanities is the only organization of its kind dedicated to bringing the humanities to every Floridian from the Panhandle to the Keys. It accomplishes this goal by providing grant opportunities to libraries, museums, historical societies, public institutions, and other cultural nonprofits. In this context, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $20 million to support statewide cultural resources and public programs that are deeply rooted in the humanities. These programs preserve Florida’s long history and heritage, encourage civic engagement and community dialogue, and provide opportunities to reflect on Florida’s future.
To establish and develop the Collier Art Archive, Florida Humanities has awarded United Arts Collier an annual grant of $25,000 for the next five years, contingent on UAC matching funds. Anyone interested in supporting the Collier Art Archive financially should visit https://unitedartscollier.networkforgood.com/events/70784-vip-event-collier-arts-archives-revealed.
Anyone wishing to contribute stories, songs and memorabilia should contact [email protected].
The impetus for the Collier Art Archive came from Elysia Dawn’s personal desire to learn more about United Arts Collier. “I found out that the founder was my very first ballet teacher that I had at the Fleischmann Park Community Center when I was three years old. We had the opportunity to meet and she told me all about the founding of the organization. From there, I had the opportunity to talk to other people who were there in the early years, board members, past presidents, Grant and John Passidomo. They had such incredible stories to tell about how the arts came to this community and the more I learned about them, the more I wanted to learn and that’s what ultimately led to the founding of the Collier Arts Archive.”
In addition to serving as an online resource for arts organizations, artists, educators and researchers, the Collier Arts Archive supports a number of projects including:
- GPS-guided citywide tours of Collier County’s top arts and culture attractions;
- A historical archive that captures stories of patrons, artists and leaders;
- An art and culture documentation;
- Exhibitions and events featuring memorabilia and representations of art and culture;
- Lecture/podcast series on arts and culture or other appropriate public programs; and
- Literary publications based on interviews and memorabilia published in Florida Humanities FORUM Magazine.
“The arts are not only essential to us as humans,” Dawn added, “but I think they are incredibly important to everyone, whether they realize it or not. They have a huge impact on economic health, our educational outcomes and well-being, our mental and physical well-being. But on a personal level, I have to say that the arts have meant a lot to me in Collier. Being able to be in a community that supports the arts led to my career in the arts. It started with ballet lessons with Debbie Clemente when I was three years old, and I was able to take field trips to Artis Naples and enjoy the rich offerings of this community in theater, music, visual arts and more. Being in a community that values the arts makes it a place I want to live, and I think there are a number of people who feel like this place is a place they want to live as well.”
You can obtain more information or arrange to donate historical and artistic works, paintings, photographs, plays, songs, music and recipes by sending an email to [email protected].
For more stories about the arts in Southwest Florida, visit Tom Hall’s website: SWFL art in the news.
