Seminole Cultural Arts Council

Seminole Cultural Arts Council Appoints Dr. Deborah Bauer as New Executive Director

2/23/2025

The Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) is proud to announce Dr. Deborah Bauer as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective January 2025. Dr. Bauer succeeds Donna Bundy, who retired in October 2024 after twelve years of dedicated service to SCAC.

Dr. Bauer, a distinguished historian with a focus on Florida history, brings an impressive array of expertise and community involvement to the role. She currently serves as a part-time faculty member at Valencia College in Orlando, where she shares her passion for history with students. Dr. Bauer holds a doctoral degree in history from the University of South Florida, as well as two Master’s degrees from the University of North Florida and the University of Central Florida. She is also a proud alumna of Seminole State College.

A published author, Dr. Bauer has contributed numerous articles and book reviews to respected publications, including The Florida Historical Quarterly, Florida Studies, and Southeastern Archaeology. Her commitment to advancing knowledge about Florida’s past is further demonstrated by her long-standing service to various historical, archaeological, and cultural preservation organizations.
Since 2019, Dr. Bauer has served as the president of the Central Florida Anthropological Society, and she has been a member of the Seminole County Historical Society Board of Directors since 2016. In 2023, she was appointed to the Seminole County Historical Commission, and she has been reappointed for a second two-year term beginning in 2025. Dr. Bauer is also the founder and president of the Society for Historic Casselberry.

In addition to her historical work, Dr. Bauer is deeply committed to supporting arts, cultural, and educational initiatives in Seminole County, where is volunteers as a part of the Dividend Program. She is a mentor in the Take Stock in Children program, assisting students from Seminole County Public Schools. She serves as a guest-speaker each year during the annual Teach In during American Education Week, serves as a judge at the SCPS District History Fair, and is as a judge at the State of Florida History Fair in Tallahassee each May. She serves on several volunteer boards, including the Program Committee for the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, the Scholarship Review Committee for the Foundation for Seminole State College, the Scholarship Review Committee for the Valencia College Foundation, and Casselberry’s Friends of the Park. She is a member of the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Bauer first became involved with SCAC several years ago as a volunteer.

“Dr. Bauer is a driven, dedicated hard worker with a long resume of service and experience with the arts community in Seminole County and the entire state of Florida,” said Anthony Aramendia, President of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council Executive Board. “She’s an excellent grant writer, has exceptional event planning skills, and possesses extensive experience in the Central Florida non-profit community. When we were selecting our new Executive Director, we knew she was the right person for the job. She has excellent skills in grant writing, event planning, and fundraising, which will serve her well in her new role as Executive Director. Her proven leadership, passion for arts and culture, and strong connections to our community make her an invaluable asset. We’re confident that she will continue to move SCAC forward and strengthen the arts and cultural landscape of our county for a long time to come.”

Dr. Bauer’s appointment as Executive Director of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council marks an exciting new chapter for the organization, following the impactful tenure of Donna Bundy. Under Bundy’s leadership, SCAC made significant strides in enriching the cultural fabric of Seminole County, and Dr. Bauer is poised to continue this momentum.

“I’m honored and looking forward to taking on the role of Executive Director of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council during this milestone year,” said Dr. Bauer. “I look forward to working with the board, staff, and community partners to support and grow the incredible arts and cultural initiatives in Seminole County. I’m particularly excited to help expand SCAC’s grant programs, look forward to helping expand SCAC’s Art in Public Places program, and raising public awareness of SCAC’s mission statement with community and business partners.”
Founded in 1994, the Seminole Cultural Arts Council is dedicated to fostering a thriving arts and culture environment in Seminole County, Florida. This year, SCAC continues its celebration of 30 years of enriching the cultural fabric of the community through partnerships, education, and advocacy. SCAC supports the cultural and artistic development of Seminole County while preserving the rich history and heritage of the region.

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SCAC is a registered public 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a member of the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies. SCAC supports and nurtures the cultural and artistic needs of Seminole County. SCAC serves to sustain, develop and advance the cultural life of Seminole County.

SCAC 2025 Taste of the Arts Gala Sold Out!

2/21/2025

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SCAC’s annual 2025 Taste of the Arts Gala as presented by Wayne Densch Inc. was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Casselberry Art Center in Casselberry, Florida. The event sold out as more than 150 guests joined for an exciting event of a curated food and beverage tasting, multiple music, dancing, and improv performances, live art demonstrations, and an unforgettable Silent Auction.
The funds raised at the gala help support SCACs mission throughout the year. All proceeds stay local to support arts & culture initiatives in Seminole County. Thank you to the dozens of local businesses and artists that donated their time and talent to make the event such a huge success!
Save the date as the date for next year’s gala has already been announced. The 2026 Taste of the Arts Gala will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026!

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Thank you to Longwood Life

5/6/2024

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Longwood Life Magazine recently covered our 30th Taste of the Arts Gala in their magazines. Thank you for this amazing coverage!

Read the Article

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2024-2025 SCAC Grant Applications

4/4/2024

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SCAC Grant Program Overview

Formed in 1994, the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a member of the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies, and Americans for the Arts. SCAC is a catalyst for the preservation of local cultural and historic heritage, including performing, literary, and visual arts and sciences, and serves to sustain, develop, and advance the cultural life of Seminole County.

In 1995, the Seminole County Board of Commissioners designated SCAC as the official recipient of the Florida ARTS license plate funds. Through the Division of Cultural Affairs, State of Florida, and Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles, $20 from each special State of the Arts license tag purchased by Seminole County residents goes toward a grant fund that supports the arts in Seminole County. Since SCAC was formed, more than $380,000 in grants has been awarded.

Our Mission is to advocate in Central Florida for Seminole County’s art-rich community and our Vision is to inspire the cultural livability of the community through the arts.

2024-2025 SCAC GRANT GUIDELINES
Grant Period October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025

Workshop Attendance:

Workshop attendance on Friday, June 7, 2024 is mandatory for all first-time applicants, and failure to attend this first workshop will disqualify your application.
NOTE: Repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to attend as there have been multiple changes to the application and in the grant process for FY 2024-2025. Repeat applicants who cannot attend the workshop on Friday, June 7, 2024 are required to call or email SCAC before June 5th to set up an appointment to discuss the program.

Narrative:

Applicants are required to use this template to a maximum of eight (8) typed pages using Times New Roman 12 point or Arial 11-point font.

Final Grant Reports:

The Final Grant Report Form may be found at the end of the Grant Application. It must be submitted to SCAC no later than sixty (60) days after the end date of the project. If your organization received SCAC grant funding for 2023-2024, you must include copies of that Final Grant Report.

Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) Membership Required:

All grant recipients must be current members or become members of SCAC prior to the application deadline of Thursday, August 1, 2024. Applicants must also attach a copy of their cancelled check or method of payment for membership to their grant application in order for it to be considered.

Important Dates:
Friday, June 7, 2024, SCAC Grant Writing Workshop 3:00-4:30 PM
               RSVP by 6/5/24 to 407-562-2810 or [email protected]
               Location – Sanford Information Center, 230 E 1st Street, Sanford 32771
Thursday, August 1, 2024, Application Deadline and deadline for payment of membership
Completed applications must either be hand-delivered by 12:00 NOON on 8/1/24 to the SCAC office, 230 E 1st Street, Sanford or postmarked by USPS on 8/1/24 and mailed to 230 E 1st Street, Sanford 32771.

Friday, August 16, 2024 Grant Review Panel open meeting to review applications 3:00–4:30 PM
Inform SCAC if you are unable to attend, 407-562-2810, or [email protected]
               Location – Sanford Information Center, 230 E 1st Street, Sanford 32771
Monday, August 26, 2024   Award/denial notices are sent to applicants.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024   Checks are mailed to grant recipients.

Download Grant Guidelines and Application

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2024 heART for the Arts Award recipient announced

2/22/2024

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The Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) Board of Directors has voted to recognize the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center - Ritz Theater (WDPAC) with the 2024 heART for the Arts Award. This award acknowledges the dedication of the theater’s board, staff, and volunteers to advancing the arts in Seminole County.

Over the years, the WDPAC has partnered with SCAC in numerous arts-related activities, including hosting the SCAC Annual Meeting at no cost.

WDPAC has supported a wide variety of cultural organizations in Seminole County for more than two decades, providing a “home venue” to showcase talent through the annual Love Your Shorts Film Festival and Summer Rewind, God’s Throne Room Worship Services, the Chamber Theater Children’s Production, Midway Elementary School for the Performing Arts graduation ceremonies, Flamenco Color, Seminole State College Fall Jazz Nights, Venezolanos En Sanford, Inc. Dance Team, and the African-American stage productions of “Dissonance” and “Russian Roulette – It Wasn’t Me”. The theater has also continued to present Junior Summer Camp and Senior Summer Camp each year.

Such partnerships have done much to enhance our quality of life for residents of Seminole County and greater Central Florida, generate additional revenue for local businesses, and provide art and culture opportunities for residents and thousands of visitors annually.

The award will be presented to the board of WDPAC at the Taste of the Arts gala on Saturday, March 23rd from 6:30-8:30pm at the Casselberry Art Center, 137 Quail Pond Circle. Tickets are available at www: seminoleculturalarts.org. For information, call 407-562-2810.

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SCAC is a catalyst for the preservation of local cultural and historic heritage, including performing, literary, visual arts and sciences; serving to sustain, develop and advance the cultural life of Seminole County.