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

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.