As president and CEO, Jennifer Evins heads up United Arts of Central Florida (UACF), the Local Art Agency serving Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. Evins leads the day-to-day operations and management of a staff of 13 full-time employees and oversees a $12 million annual operating budget. UACF invests over $10.3 million in local arts, science and history annually through grants, contracts for service and designated giving, supporting over 2.9 million arts experiences, including over one million K-12 experiences, annually.
Evins has been heavily involved with the arts in South Carolina for over 26 years before relocating to Central Florida in June 2021. Prior to joining United Arts, Evins was president and CEO of Chapman Cultural Center, Inc., the Local Arts Agency of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Evins has secured over $92 million in annual campaigns and capital campaigns from public and private sectors in developing new Cultural Facilities, Affordable Artist Studios and a new YMCA.
Jennifer has contributed her skills and expertise in marketing, communications and public relations as well as grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit finance, advocacy, public art, community development and creative placemaking to help build communities where all people can thrive. Evins’ grant writing has won the inaugural Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge and National Endowment for the Arts grants. Jennifer is a Diversity Leadership Fellow of the Riley Institute and a Hull Fellow of the Southeastern Council on Foundations. She has received numerous awards for her leadership and contributions to her community including SC Governor’s Award for the Arts, SC’s highest award in the state. In 2022 Evins was a recipient of i4 Business magazine’s Women’s Inspired Leadership Award and was also named as one of Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful people.
Prior to joining the nonprofit sector in 2010, Evins had a 15-year professional career in marketing and public relations including Public Affairs Director at WSPA-TV CBS.
In volunteer service, Evins served as a board member and chair of multiple local and statewide initiatives and nonprofits in areas of education, economic development, arts, community development and leadership development.
