The Member Portal (currently accessible at https://unitedartscollier.org/member-portal/ and labeled simply “Member Portal” in the footer and via the top-right “User” icon) is a secure, backend WordPress area designed for approved members to manage and submit content. It supports roles like “Editor” for tasks such as:

• Creating/editing artist profiles (with premade fields, WPBakery customization, image uploads, bios, links).
• Managing events (using custom post types for dates, locations, organizers, tickets, media).
• Handling team member entries.
• Uploading exhibition artwork (restricted to Administrator or Artist/Editor roles).

Access requires registration (via /my-account/), admin approval, and login. The portal currently focuses primarily on individual/artist-level submissions (e.g., artists submit info for directory placement, social promotion, event inclusion in “Best Bets” blasts). Proposed future expansions in documentation include dedicated backend sections for organizations, allies, board/committee members, and others via custom post type (e.g., /wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=organization).

Why the Portal Is Effectively “Only Available” for Member Organizations (Ally & Advocate Tiers)

• Membership tiers (from https://unitedartscollier.org/membership/):
  • Artist / Individual ($100/year): Focused on individual artists. Benefits include website/social recognition at Artist level, portal submission of info for directory/social promotion (handled via portal), “Members Only” opportunity listings, event invites, juried exhibition participation. However, full portal login/troubleshooting is not promoted or supported for this tier to minimize support load—UAC team manages listings/promotions on their behalf.
  • Ally ($250/year): Ideal for nonprofit organizations. Includes all Artist benefits plus recognition at Ally level.
  • Advocate ($500/year): Ideal for galleries and businesses (with sponsorship options). Includes all prior benefits plus enhanced event invites (plus-ones/guests).
• Organizational focus — The /organization/ page highlights member arts organizations as community cultural centers, with links to explore them (via map/directory). Ally and Advocate tiers are explicitly for nonprofit organizations, galleries, and businesses—making these the “member organizations.” The portal’s content management tools (especially planned organization-specific listings) align with organizational needs (e.g., profiles with missions, contacts, logos), while Artist-tier access is limited to submission-only without full backend privileges or support.
• Current restrictions — Artist members have reported login issues despite not being intended for full portal access. The portal is not restricted by tier in code yet (any approved member can log in), but policy/practice limits it to Ally/Advocate (organizational) members for practical use and support. The provided description reinforces this: Artist members submit via portal but rely on UAC team for processing, avoiding direct troubleshooting.

The Member Organization Portal is exclusively available to Ally and Advocate tier members (nonprofit organizations, galleries, and businesses). As an Artist/Individual member, you can submit directory information, event details, and exhibition materials through our guided process—our team handles placement, promotion on social media/website, and inclusion in weekly “Best Bets” emails. Full portal login and backend management are reserved for Ally & Advocate tiers to ensure efficient support. For assistance with submissions, directory updates, or promotions, contact info@unitedartscollier.org or call 239-254-8242.

How To Setup Artists On The Website?

1. Visit the homepage: https://unitedartscollier.org/.
2. Click the “User” icon in the top right of the header or scroll to the footer and click “Member Portal”.
3. If you don’t have an account, register at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/. Provide your details and submit.
4. Wait for administrator approval; your account will be assigned the “Editor” role for artist access.
5. Once approved, log in at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/.
6. From the floating menu (on desktop/laptop) or Member Portal, navigate to Artists: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=artist.
7. Add a new artist profile by clicking “Add New” or visiting https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=artist. Fill out premade fields at the bottom of the page.
8. Use the WPBakery Backend Editor to customize your profile (e.g., add images, bio, links). Hover over existing artists to “Clone” or “Duplicate” as a template.
9. Press the blue “Update” button to save. All changes are versioned for easy reversion.

Guide To Using Your Artist Profile?

1. Log in at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/ or via Member Portal.
2. Go to Artists: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=artist.
3. View all artists or edit profiles by clicking on entries.
4. Add new: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=artist. Fill fields, customize with WPBakery (add bios, art images via drag/drop). Clone others for templates.
5. Update changes; contact support for questions.

How To Upload Artist Exhibition Art?

1. Visit https://unitedartscollier.org/upload/
2. Login or register.
3. If you are an ADMINISTRATOR or ARTIST (EDITOR) you will be awarded full capability to upload artist exhibition artwork associated with artist profiles.
4. Artists when they login will subsequently see their upload work from other users. Artists can choose to keep exhibition portfolio material or delete it.

1. Visit the homepage: https://unitedartscollier.org/.
2. Click the “User” icon in the top right or scroll to the footer for “Member Portal”.
3. Register at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/ if needed.
4. Await admin approval for the “Editor” role with event management permissions.
5. Log in at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/.
6. Navigate to Event Managers via the menu: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=ajde_events.
7. Add a new event by clicking “Add New” or https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=ajde_events. Use premade fields and clone existing events for guidance.
8. Customize with WPBakery Backend Editor (drag rows/columns, add media, organizers). Add organizers at https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit-tags.php?taxonomy=event_organizer&post_type=ajde_events.
9. Update to save; history is preserved.

1. Log in and access Member Portal.
2. Navigate to Events: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=ajde_events.
3. View/edit existing events.
4. Add new: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=ajde_events. Use WPBakery for details (e.g., add maps, tickets).
5. Manage organizers: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit-tags.php?taxonomy=event_organizer&post_type=ajde_events. Clone events for efficiency. Update to publish.
6. Manage event locations: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit-tags.php?taxonomy=event_location&post_type=ajde_events

 If certain UAC Events under UAC events tab are not displaying properly via our appropriate EventOn Shortcode on the page – please fix on your end so organization events from “United Arts Collier” are selected as the designated “organizer“

Solution and Findings:  Events being made simply need to be assigned to the organizer “United Arts Collier” in the events settings. In order for the events to populate in the “UAC Events” page – its important to set the organizer as the organization so the shortcode on the page is pulling from the “United Arts Collier” organization category in EventOns for each month. It works well but its important to label the events only for UAC as this is distinct from the “All Events” shortcode on the homepage.

Edit events via the backend to add organizer:

https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=ajde_events

View the frontend page to check if adding the proper organization for your events fixes:

https://unitedartscollier.org/uac-events/

Add organizers if one is missing:

https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit-tags.php?taxonomy=event_organizer&post_type=ajde_events

1. Visit the homepage: https://unitedartscollier.org/.
2. Access “Member Portal” via the user icon or footer.
3. Register at https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/.
4. Get admin approval for “Editor” role.
5. Log in and go to Team Members: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=team_members.
6. Add a new team member via “Add New” or https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=team_members.
7. Fill premade fields; use WPBakery Backend Editor for custom layouts (e.g., add photos, roles). Clone existing entries.
8. Save with “Update.”

1. Log in via https://unitedartscollier.org/my-account/.
2. Go to Team Members: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=team_members.
3. View all or edit entries.
4. Add new: https://unitedartscollier.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=team_members. Customize with WPBakery (e.g., add contact info, photos). Clone for guidance.
5. Save updates.

What’s Already Live and Available on the United Arts Collier Website (June 2026)

United Arts Collier’s website at unitedartscollier.org is already a fully functional, modern platform. It currently delivers meaningful value to the general public, artists, organizations, and approved members. While several exciting new features are planned for the future, many useful tools are already live, tested, and actively being used today.

This documentation explains everything in simple, clear language. It shows what is currently available on the website, what different people can do right now, and how the systems work together.

1. Public Website Experience (Available to Everyone)

You do not need to log in or create an account to use most of the website. Anyone can visit and explore a wide range of helpful content and tools right away.

Homepage & Navigation The homepage opens with the organization’s clear mission: “All the Arts for All of Collier”. It also displays a live countdown timer for the next upcoming event. From the homepage, visitors can easily reach important sections through both the main navigation and prominent links. These sections include Discover, Resources & Opportunities, Support UAC, Advocacy Resources, Events & Exhibitions, Artists, Artist Opportunities, and About Us.

Events & Exhibitions Calendar One of the strongest and most useful features already working is the UAC Unified Arts Calendar. This is a searchable calendar that shows arts events and exhibitions happening across Collier County. It includes workshops, classes, performances, gallery openings, fundraisers, film screenings, lectures, and festivals.

Visitors can view events in a monthly calendar format, search and filter by date, category, or location, and access a full list view at /all-events/. In addition, the calendar already supports both UAC-produced events and partner events from organizations throughout the county.

Event submissions are already possible. Approved members can add events directly through the Member Portal. However, anyone from the general public can still submit events by emailing events@unitedartscollier.org or calling 239-254-8242.

Artists Directory The website already includes a working Artists section. It currently showcases local artists with profiles that highlight their work, creative projects, and community impact. Visitors can browse featured artists, read project descriptions, see media coverage, and click “View All Artists” to explore more.

While the number of artists is still growing, the technical foundation behind the directory is already fully built and ready for expansion.

Educational & Community Impact Content The site clearly explains UAC’s current programs and community work. These include arts education for at-risk students and underserved communities, free classes and therapeutic art programs for seniors, veterans, and youth, the Collier Arts Archive project (in partnership with Florida Humanities), major events such as the Naples International Dance Festival, Gulfside Gala, and Seaside Soirée, as well as Arts & Health initiatives developed with partners like NCH.

Newsletter & Communication Visitors can subscribe to the Best Bets weekly newsletter, which currently reaches over 5,000 subscribers. This remains one of the primary channels through which UAC shares upcoming events, opportunities, and organizational news with the community.

Calls to Artists & Opportunities Open calls for artists appear regularly on the site. For example, the current “Meaning in Memory: Art of Remembrance Exhibition” includes direct links to easy submission forms. There is also a dedicated Artist Opportunities page for creators seeking ways to engage with UAC programming.

About, Support & Advocacy Pages Clear and informative pages exist for About Us (mission, economic impact data, and current initiatives), Support UAC (membership options and ways to give), and Advocacy Resources (including economic impact studies and strategic planning documents).

2. Member Portal & Backend Capabilities (Already Working)

The Member Portal at /member-portal/ is not just a future idea — it is already active and being used by approved members.

Registration & Access Flow Anyone can create an account at /my-account/. After UAC administrators review and approve the registration, they assign a special permission called the Editor role. This role allows approved members to log into the backend and add or edit content directly on the website.

Currently Implemented Member Areas Three types of members already have working tools:

Key Tools Already Active

• WPBakery — An easy drag-and-drop design tool that lets approved members create professional-looking pages without any coding.
• Version History — Every change is saved automatically, so previous versions can be restored if needed.
• Cloning — Members can copy existing profiles or events to save time when creating new content.
• Automatic Publishing — Content added in the backend appears on the public website automatically.

3. What Different People Can Do Right Now

General Public (No Login Needed) Visitors can browse and search the full events calendar, view artist profiles and the artists directory, read about UAC’s programs and impact, sign up for the weekly Best Bets newsletter, submit to open Calls to Artists via Google Forms, contact UAC via email or phone, and explore membership options and benefits.

Approved Editor-Role Members (Artists, Event Managers, Team Members) Once approved, members can log into the WordPress backend and create and publish new artist profiles with professional layouts, submit new events that appear on the public calendar (with organizer and location management), create and update Team Member profiles, use WPBakery to design rich content without needing a developer, and contribute content that automatically flows to the public website.

UAC Staff & Administrators Staff can review and approve new member registrations, assign the Editor role to approved users, oversee and moderate all content submitted through the Member Portal, manage the full events calendar and artist directory, and publish news, opportunities, and calls to artists.

4. How Everything Works Together

The website already operates as one connected and efficient ecosystem. Public visitors discover events and artists across the site. At the same time, approved members contribute content through a familiar WordPress backend using tools they already understand. Content then flows automatically to public-facing pages such as the calendar and artists directory.

WPBakery gives non-technical users professional design control, while EventOn powers a capable and filterable public calendar. In addition, WooCommerce My Account handles registration and access control in a secure and user-friendly way. Because of this integration, the platform already functions as a working, production-ready collaborative system rather than a static brochure site.

Summary: What Is Already Strong Today

The United Arts Collier website already offers a professional and mission-driven public presence, a searchable county-wide arts calendar powered by EventOn, artist profile management with public display, a working Member Portal that includes registration, approval workflows, and the Editor role, backend editing tools through WPBakery for approved members, automated content flow from backend to frontend, newsletter signup functionality, active Calls to Artists, and clear pathways for membership and community support.

While future phases will add dedicated tools for Board Directors, Committee Members, Ambassadors, the Art & Health Council, Organizations, and Allies — along with advanced features such as interactive maps and gamification — the current foundation is already solid, secure, and delivering real value to the Collier County arts community.

The collaborative model is not something we are waiting to build. It is already active and in regular use.

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Proposed Features for Incomplete Member Areas (v0.02)

As the Member Portal continues to grow, we plan to add similar easy-to-use tools for other important groups. These new areas will follow the same simple and proven model already working for Artists, Event Managers, and Team Members.

Board Directors 📋 A dedicated backend area would give board members and staff the tools they need to work more efficiently. For example, board members would be able to manage their own profiles, schedule meetings, upload agendas and minutes as PDFs, and run quick polls for decisions. This would make board work more organized and transparent for everyone involved.

Committee Members 👥 Committees would get a central hub to manage members, assign tasks using simple visual boards (similar to a digital to-do list), and share documents with version history. This would help committees stay coordinated without relying on long email chains.

Ambassadors 🌟 Ambassadors would have profiles to showcase their outreach work, track community engagement, and earn recognition through a simple referral system. This would help grow the UAC community while celebrating active volunteers and connectors.

Art And Health Council Members 🩺🎨 This group would get tools to manage expert profiles, submit program ideas (such as art therapy workshops for seniors or veterans), and share success stories linked to events. It would strengthen UAC’s growing Arts & Health initiatives across Collier County.

Organizations 🏢 Arts organizations would be able to create profiles, connect with artists and events through simple matchmaking tools, and access a searchable library of grants and resources. This would make collaboration easier and more effective across the local arts ecosystem.

Ally 🤝 Allies (donors, volunteers, and supporters) would have profiles, an activity feed, and access to special perks such as early ticket access or exclusive newsletters. This would help recognize and engage supporters in a more meaningful way.

Cool Ideas to Make the Platform Even Better 🌈 Several ideas could make the Member Portal more dynamic, fun, and useful for everyone:

• AI Suggestions 🤖 — Smart recommendations for event ideas or artist pairings based on current trends and member profiles.
• Virtual Gallery Tours 🖼️ — 360° tours of exhibitions that can be embedded directly in artist profiles or event pages.
• Gamification Badges 🏆 — Fun digital badges (such as “Event Guru”) to recognize active and helpful members.
• Mobile Notifications 📱 — Push alerts for new events, approvals, or important updates.
• Collaborative Calendar 🗓️ — Real-time co-editing so multiple members can brainstorm and refine events together.
• Sustainability Tracker 🌍 — Tools to calculate event carbon footprints and suggest greener alternatives.
• Voice-to-Text Editing 🎙️ — Speak instead of type when updating profiles (especially helpful for accessibility).

These ideas would make contributing to United Arts Collier easier, more rewarding, and more accessible while keeping the same simple approach that is already working well today.

We welcome your feedback on prioritization. Which of these areas or ideas should we focus on first?