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The Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council has elected Brian May chair of the 15-member volunteer advisory board.
May, founder of Floridian Partners LLC, a lobbying and consulting firm, will lead efforts by the board, appointed by the Miami-Dade County Commission. May will use his expertise in issue strategy and management and community engagement to lead the council in carrying out its mission to develop cultural excellence, diversity, and participation in the arts by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations throughout Miami-Dade County.
A member of the council since 2019, May succeeds Xavier Cortada, the first professional artist to serve as chair from 2018 to 2020.
“Brian May is the type of leader and champion the council and our arts community need in this new era,” Cortada said. “We face a range of challenges, from COVID-19 to climate change, and I am confident that through his leadership the council will continue to be powerful voice for the arts.”
Prior to forming Floridian Partners in 1998, May worked in state and local governments.
“Our vibrant cultural organizations and artists are part of what makes South Florida unique.
The cultural sector has an essential role in our local economy and in the quality of life of our children, families and visitors,” May said. “I look forward to working with our board and the cultural community to secure more support for the arts at the local, state and national levels, especially given the unprecedented challenges we are facing.”
The council reelected Janá Sigars-Malina, Esq. to serve as first vice chair and Mireille Chancy-Gonzalez as second vice chair.
The Cultural Affairs Council oversees the county’s annual investment of grants to non-profit cultural organizations and artists, supports cultural education and outreach initiatives, manages county arts facilities and the development of new and renovation of existing cultural facilities, advocates on behalf of cultural issues, and advises the mayor and county commissioners regarding cultural policy.
For more information about the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council visit www.miamidadearts.org.
