Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Vickery.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I founded Central Florida Community Arts in 2010 because I saw a need for artists to have a place to perform and connect. The vision for me was not only having a performance opportunity but to give back to our community and to connect with each other and our neighbors through the arts. We have the typical story – we started in a garage! I held meetings to present the idea and we started with one concert. We had over 150 singers in that first concert and we’ve never stopped building from there.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Launching a new idea and a new organization is never a smooth road! The National Endowment for the Arts says there is no other arts organization like us in the country, so really, we are clearing the road and building as we go. Our members and partners tell us what they need and we add those programs. We started with a choir and then added an orchestra, youth programs, dancers, a theater program. We saw a need for under-resourced communities so we created programs that went into communities. We saw a need for health and well-being to be connected to the arts so we created partnerships with Share the Care and developed programs like Musical Minds for seniors in early stages of dementia. We partnered with the Downs Syndrome Association to create UpBeat! Theatre Troupe for performers with special needs. We face challenges at every launch of a new program and we’re constantly applying what we learned to help make the next program a success.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For me personally, I am focused on being a catalyst for change in our community and helping others to be that catalyst in their communities. I’m passionate about helping other leaders and I mentor and coach new executive directors to help guide them on the journey of creating a nonprofit. For our organization, I’m most proud of our mission to serve and build community through the arts and how every leader, team member, participant, donor, board member and patron helps us to make that mission a reality. The stories we hear about the impact of Central Florida Community Arts on individuals and on our community motivate us to keep going.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I really love reading books on leadership and sharing that inspiration. For the past month, I have been reading “The Ride of a Lifetime” by Bob Iger and sending our team a leadership tip from the book every day. As a team, we are reading “How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi and having powerful conversations together after our weekly staff meeting. I think the exchange of ideas and inspiration helps me to grow as a leader and I appreciate the chance to interact with our team in such a deep and meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@cfcarts.com
- Website: www.CFCArts.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/CFCArts
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CentralFloridaCommunityArts
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/CFCArts
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/CFCArts
- Yelp: www.Yelp.com/biz/Central-Florida-Community-Arts-Orlando
Image Credits
NOEL photo (choir in masks outside night): Kendall Paynter
Holiday Fantasia photo (choir in masks outside daytime): Bia Silva
This is Halloween photo (orchestra in masks outside daytime): Abigail Spencer
A Christmas Carol photo (four kids in costumes and masks): For the Stage Photography
Holidays in the Courtyard photo (one woman in mask outside nighttime): Abigail Spencer
