Our Story

United Arts Collier (formerly the United Arts Council of Collier County) is a catalyst for all the arts in all of Collier County. As the official, state-recognized Local Arts Agency for Collier County, we serve artists, cultural organizations, and the general public. The services we provide are made possible through a combination of state, foundation, corporate, and individual funding. As a 501(c)(3) charity, we could not achieve our mission without the help of all our generous donors.

We partner with civic and business leaders, arts-related enterprises, and educational institutions to advance the arts and benefit the wellbeing of our community. Studies show that the arts positively impact our economic wellbeing, physical and mental health, and educational outcomes. We offer arts education to all, including students from low-income families, and provide outreach to underserved areas of the county. We advocate for more funding for the arts and more art throughout our county. UAC develops mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships among people, organizations, and businesses from all arts disciplines, which positively impact opportunities and growth for all in Collier and beyond. 

WHY THE ARTS MATTER

“The cultural and creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors in the world. With an estimated global worth of 4.3 trillion USD per year, the culture sector now accounts for 6.1% of the global economy. They generate annual revenues of US$ 2,250 billion and nearly 30 million jobs worldwide, employing more people aged 15 to 29 than any other sector.” – UNESCO

“AEP5, documented that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion nation wide in economic activity (spending by organizations plus the event-related spending by their audiences) which supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue.

• Nonprofit arts and culture organizations mean business. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from within the community, are members of their Chambers of Commerce, and attract tourists to their regions.
• The arts drive commerce to local businesses. The arts, unlike most industries, leverage significant amounts of event-related spending by their audiences. In 2017, arts attendees spent $31.47 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging—vital income for local businesses.
• Arts travelers are ideal tourists. They stay longer and spend more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. One-third of attendees travel from outside the county in which the activity takes place and spend an average of $48 per person. (69% say they traveled specifically to attend the activity.)
• Small investments. Big returns. In 2017, the combined $5 billion in direct arts funding by local, state, and federal governments yielded $27.5 billion in government revenue” – Americans for the Arts