John Melleky works with a white canvas. As the Art and Culture Manager for the Collier County Tourism Division, a newly created position, Melleky’s job is to strengthen arts programming and services. It took off in February reaching out to groups that were part of the Arts & amp; Strategic Plan for Culture, a plan developed by local arts, culture and creative sectors, employers and residents.
“My role is to work with the arts organization, provide outreach, work on the concession program [Tourism Development Council] and implement the plan,” Melleky says of meeting with the organization , including the United Nations Council. “The strategic plan is excellent and it really has a wide variety of opportunities.”
Its priority will be to strengthen, adapt and diversify programs to address the changing needs of the community, while encouraging a rich artistic and cultural environment that strengthens the community and boosts tourism.
Among the ideas Melleky works with are arts and cultural festivals; public art, such as murals and sculptures; educational arts workshops; promotes the five museums of the county; and work closely with artists, art groups, the Naples Arts District, the Bayshore Arts District and the Naples Design District.
“We need to watch the different neighborhoods as these art districts grow and really help them see what they need care for, because those are some of the next areas of growth, especially for artists,” says Melleky. , adding that affordable housing if artists can afford to live and work is a concern.
Focusing on areas where the county is growing, such as Eastern Naples and Immokalee, and how to bring more arts education to children and adults, and also increase what schools offer. And visit the city of Everglades, the former county seat, knowing that the county’s 100th anniversary is approaching May 8, 2023.
He also met with artists and groups to discuss how Zoom and other virtual platforms played a role in supporting creativity during the pandemic and how virtual platforms can continue to be part of their outreach efforts.
Melleky, who lives in Bonita Springs, was the senior development officer at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Florida State Museum of Art in Sarasota, and the principal at FiG Solutions in Bonita Springs, where he direct fundraising efforts and partnerships. for the Edison Festival of Lights. His 20 years of cultural and artistic experience range from development, fundraising and strategic planning to the organization of events and festivals.
When he was general manager of the San Antonio Fiesta Commission, one of the nation’s largest cultural festivals with more than 3.6 million attendees, it grew from 90 to 110 groups. In Count Collier, he works at a festival of Latin and Hispanic art and culture.
“Arts and culture organizations want to feel like they’re a part of messaging, and that’s important because it’s such a rich and diverse artistic culture,” he says. “There are so many people who can choose from, and they need to get involved, so I’ve helped tell the story for locals and tourists so that more tourists come.”
He is also working on the concession program of the Tourism Development Council. This year, it has grown to $ 900,000 after ranging from $ 600,000 to $ 800,000 in past years. The increase came from reserves, he says, noting that the TDC wanted to help support organizations looking to do more and grow, especially after the pandemic. It hopes to boost that amount further in the future, even if it depends on tourism tax revenues.
Melleky will create a public art plan and work with a public art committee that will consider sculptures, murals and other art on public lands. “I had lived in Richmond, Virginia, and they had a great mural program, so I watched what they did,” he says.
It also studies best practices in other communities, such as Sarasota, which has a strong arts concession program, and the Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which are known for their arts, outreach and promotions.
Paula Brody, who operates Inspirations Artists and Design Gallery and is president of the Naples Art District, a neighborhood of 95 artists north of Pine Ridge Road, said she expects to apply for grants and work with Melleky and other organizations. of art on upcoming events. .
“Together, we can promote cultural-art tourism in Collier County, so that people not only exchange white snow for white sand beaches, but the opportunity to reinforce art awareness,” says Brody, laughing. to a Paradise Coast TV spot. . “And tourists can meet the 95 artists working to create their art in this neighborhood.”
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