At its September 9 Board of Directors meeting, United Arts of Central Florida recognized Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings for his extraordinary commitment to advancing arts and culture throughout the region.
United Arts Board Chair Lindsay Abt presented Mayor Demings with a proclamation honoring his selection as the recipient of the 2026 Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Leadership. Presented by Americans for the Arts and the National Association of Counties, the national award recognizes an elected official who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in supporting the arts and arts education.
Mayor Demings’ recognition reflects years of sustained public investment in Central Florida’s creative community. Under his leadership, Orange County has more than doubled its annual investment in arts and culture over the past eight years, increasing support to $31 million. This includes a record $15 million dedicated to cultural arts grants and programs.
That investment supports artists, nonprofit arts organizations, cultural institutions, community events and arts education opportunities across Orange County. It also strengthens a nonprofit arts and cultural sector that generates more than $264 million in economic activity, supports nearly 5,000 jobs and welcomes millions of patrons and visitors each year.
Mayor Demings has consistently recognized that the arts are more than an amenity. They are an essential part of Orange County’s economic growth, community vitality and quality of life. His leadership has helped ensure that creativity and cultural expression remain central to the county’s continued prosperity.
The proclamation, acted upon by the United Arts Board of Directors and signed by Board Chair Lindsay Abt and President and CEO Jennifer C. Evins, honors Mayor Demings for his lasting contributions to the creative and economic vitality of Orange County and the greater Central Florida region.
United Arts congratulates Mayor Demings on this prestigious national recognition and thanks him for being a true champion of the arts.
PROCLAMATION
HONORING
MAYOR JERRY L. DEMINGS
Recipient of the 2026 Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Leadership
WHEREAS, Mayor Jerry L. Demings has demonstrated visionary leadership by recognizing arts and
culture as essential components of Orange County’s economic growth, community vitality, and
quality of life; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, Orange County, Florida has more than doubled its investment in
arts and culture over the past eight years, increasing annual support to $31 million, including a
record $15 million dedicated to cultural arts grants and programs; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Demings has championed public investment in artists, arts organizations,
cultural institutions, arts and cultural events, and arts education opportunities, ensuring that
creativity and cultural expression remain central to Orange County’s future prosperity; and
WHEREAS, his commitment to the arts has helped strengthen a nonprofit arts and cultural sector
that generates more than $264 million in economic activity, supports nearly 5,000 jobs, and
attracts millions of patrons and visitors each year; and
WHEREAS, national leaders from the National Association of Counties and Americans for the Arts
have recognized Mayor Demings for advancing the arts as a source of community pride, economic
opportunity, cultural vitality, and enhanced quality of life for all residents, with Mayor Demings’
vision and leadership earning him the prestigious Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County
Leadership, a national honor recognizing elected officials who have demonstrated exceptional
commitment to advancing the arts and arts education; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that we honor and commend Mayor Jerry L. Demings for
his extraordinary leadership, unwavering support of arts and culture, and lasting contributions to
the creative and economic vitality of Orange County, Florida, and the Central Florida region.
On this 9th day of September, 2026, acted on by the Board of Directors of United Arts
of Central Florida, we honor Mayor Jerry L. Demings as a true champion of the arts.
