United Arts Collier is recognized by the State of Florida as the official Local Arts Agency for Collier County.
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Uniting Collier County And Its Art Community
United Arts Collier (UAC) is the heart of the arts in Collier County—where creativity catalyzes community.
As the county’s official Local Arts Agency, UAC serves as Collier’s arts umbrella and a unifying cultural force. We are in service to all of Collier through all the arts, harnessing their transformative power to cultivate meaningful partnerships among individuals, organizations, businesses, and civic entities—positively impacting lives across the county and beyond.
As a uniting thread through the full spectrum of the arts, UAC enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike through robust arts education programs, exhibitions, performances, outreach initiatives, special events, art therapy, and more.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, UAC depends on the generosity of corporate sponsors, grantmakers, and individual donors to fulfill our mission of enriching lives through the power of the arts.
What We Mean by “All the Arts for All of Collier”
- “All the arts” includes—though is not limited to—visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and culinary arts.
- “All of Collier” refers to both the geographic and demographic reach of our work, spanning all ages, abilities, cultures, and communities throughout the county.
- The word “for” emphasizes not only advocacy for the arts themselves, but the profound impact the arts have on the well-being, identity, and vitality of our entire community.
Key Art Programs And Initiatives
- Arts Education: Delivering programs to at-risk students and expanding access for those who might otherwise miss out.
- Community Events: Hosting fundraisers like the Seaside Soirée at Seagate Beach Club, featuring live music, art-making, culinary delights, and sunset views over the Gulf. We have hosted events such as those honoring journalist Harriet Heithaus for her contributions to local arts coverage.
- Artist Support: Showcasing emerging and established talents through exhibitions, like the “Sense of Home” artist showcase at Naples Airport, and calls for submissions (e.g., NIFF poster designs themed around film as multidisciplinary art).
- Collier Arts Archive: Preserving the county’s cultural history.
- Membership and Fundraising: Annual memberships start with benefits like event invites and recognition, fueling programs through campaigns like “$25k for the Arts.”
Our Children’s Programming Is Made Possible In Part Thanks To…
Community
- County-wide Arts Calendar
- County-wide Arts and Culture Map
- Best Bets Newsletter distributed to 5,000 subscribers weekly
- Community Networking opportunities
- Special Events, Exhibitions, and Performances
- Online Artist Listing and Resources
Education
- Free Classes for all ages & abilities
- Free Programs for 2,500 at-risk youth annually
- Free Programs for older citizens
- Free Programs for veterans
- UAC Speaks Series
Advocacy
- Arts and Culture Strategic Plan for Collier County
- Economic Impact Studies
- Distribution of Arts Information, Resources, and Opportunities
2026 Naples International Dance Festival
May 11, 2026
More Videos
Naples International Dance Festival NIDF Inaugural Year 2025
March 12, 2026
UAC's Teen Painting Workshop at Collier County Library #arts #emergingartists #colliercounty
February 18, 2026
UAC's Gulfside Gala 45th Anniversary Celebration #arts #colliercounty #naplesflorida
November 28, 2025
UAC Community Impact
November 17, 2025
UAC Arts & Health with NCH + Brazilian Voices
November 17, 2025
United Arts Collier & Florida Humanities – Collier Arts Archives 2.0
October 9, 2025
Collier Arts Archives Project - United Arts Collier & Florida Humanities
February 12, 2025
Seaside Soirée - Recap Video
November 26, 2024
UAC's Seaside Soirée
November 25, 2024
FAQ
What is United Arts Collier?
United Arts Collier (UAC) is the official heart of creativity for every person who lives, works, or visits Collier County.
Our History and Role
Furthermore, we are the State of Florida’s designated Local Arts Agency for Collier County.
In addition, we function as the central arts umbrella — much like a chamber of commerce for the arts — connecting visual, performing, literary, culinary, and all other creative disciplines with the communities that need them most.
For example, since our founding in 1980 and official recognition as the Local Arts Agency in 1984, we have grown into a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Consequently, under CEO Elysia Dawn — a Naples native with international arts leadership experience — we refreshed our identity with the powerful promise: All the Arts for All of Collier.
The Programs That Touch Every Life
Moreover, our reach extends across every age, ability, and background.
Through these efforts, we provide free arts education to approximately 2,500 at-risk youth each year.
In turn, we also deliver free classes and art therapy for seniors living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, veterans, and anyone who might otherwise miss these opportunities.
Additionally, we preserve our county’s cultural heritage through the Collier Arts Archives project with Florida Humanities and produce vibrant public events such as the Seaside Soirée and the inaugural Naples International Dance Festival on May 11, 2026.
The Real Impact on Collier County
For instance, arts experiences in our region generate real economic power.
As a result, attendees spend an average of $31 to $48 per person beyond ticket costs on dining, lodging, and parking — turning every exhibition or performance into a boost for local businesses.
Therefore, our weekly Best Bets newsletter now reaches more than 5,000 subscribers, while our county-wide arts calendar helps thousands discover events in real time.
Ultimately, we also advocate for stronger arts funding, more public art, and greater arts education in schools because creativity improves health, education, safety, and quality of life across the entire community.
How We Make It All Possible
Meanwhile, none of this work happens in isolation.
On the contrary, we rely on a strong partnership of individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and state support.
Hence, as a 501(c)(3) charity, every gift directly fuels free or low-cost programs that serve thousands of Collier County residents every year.
Join the Movement — Your Next Step
In short, whether you are an artist seeking opportunities, a parent wanting enriching experiences for your children, a veteran looking to connect through creativity, or a business ready to invest in our cultural future — United Arts Collier is your partner.
Therefore, we invite you to take the next step today.
Join as a member, make a donation, attend an upcoming event, or sign up for Best Bets — and help keep All the Arts for All of Collier thriving for generations to come.
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Our weekly email highlighting the top arts events in Collier County.
