Jennifer Homan named Incoming Executive Director
It is with great gratitude that the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood announces the retirement of Executive Director Joy Satterlee after more than 20 years of stewardship of the organization. Joy has resigned, effective Dec. 31, and the Center will start the new year under the leadership of Jennifer Homan, who began as Incoming Executive Director on Nov 6. Joy will continue in her role through Dec. 31 to assure a smooth transition at this critical moment in the Center’s nearly 50-year history.
“It is bittersweet to resign as Executive Director of Art and Culture Center/Hollywood after 21 rewarding years of serving the Center as well as Hollywood’s community,” said Joy. “I’m incredibly proud of the accomplishments that the Board, funders, partners, and I have achieved for the Center along with our dedicated staff. I’m also deeply grateful for all the relationships I’ve built during my time as Executive Director. It’s been a pleasure and honor to work alongside all the artists and community leaders in the area.”
Joy submitted her resignation to the Board in June 2023. The Board hired a recruiting firm, Charity Search, to assist with the search for the Center’s next Executive Director. After more than 225 applications for the position, and with the assistance of Charity Search, the Board of Trustees offered the position to Jennifer Homan.
Jennifer comes to the Center from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, where she served as the Chief Development and Operations Officer. She brings a proven track record of impactful organizational growth with more than 15 years of experience as a leader in nonprofit fundraising, community relations, and board development. Jennifer will serve as the Center’s sixth Executive Director since the Center opened its doors in 1975.
“Joy has built an impressive organization for quality contemporary arts programs over the years,” said Jennifer. “She has developed a competent and passionate team with extensive tenure that I look forward to working with to continue to further the Center’s mission. The expansion of the Center’s facility that Joy spearheaded allows for new opportunities that will benefit not only the South Florida community but visitors alike for decades to come.”
Jennifer brings to the Center a track record of impactful organization growth. She is a strong relationship developer with excellent local, national, and corporate contacts. She’s worked with numerous high impact non-profits, designing effective strategic plans, progressive budgets and fundraising campaigns. She will work closely with the Board of Trustees and staff to ensure the continued success and growth of the Center.
Joy began her transformative tenure at the Art and Culture Center in 2002, first as Deputy Director, before becoming Interim Director and then Executive Director in 2005. During her 21 years, the Center has expanded its programming and impact in all areas – gallery exhibitions, art education for children, youth, and adults, as well as community outreach and partnerships through fundraisers such as Cuisine for Art, Golf for Art, and Men of Style held each year at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. Joy also provided critical leadership in the creation and development of the Center’s award-winning Open Dialogues film series, serving as Executive Producer on four documentary shorts that advance fairness and equity for our Black and LGBTQ communities in South Florida. The second film in the series, Black Voices | Black Stories, was selected to be televised during Season 5 of the South Florida PBS film-maker project, won a Silver Telly award and is nominated for a Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award. She also was instrumental in creating the Center’s Endowment and savings account, which allows the use of the investment income for its programs and operations in future years.
Joy’s departure on Dec. 31 coincides with the groundbreaking for a new 5,000-square-feet Arts Education Wing that the City of Hollywood will be constructing adjacent to the Center’s gallery and administrative building at 1650 Harrison Street. The Education Wing is scheduled to open in 2024 and will stand as a lasting testament to Joy’s leadership. In addition to her work at the Center, Joy served from 2013-19 on the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, a 15-member advisory council that advises the Secretary of State on cultural funding and development in Florida. In March 2023, Joy was honored by History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale as part of their “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County.” She also received the Community Leadership Award from the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and was named a “South Florida Mover & Shaker” by South Florida Business Leaders. She has served on the Advisory Committee for Girls’ Club Gallery Fort Lauderdale, as Board Secretary for the Broward Women’s Alliance, and is an Honorary Board member of Citizens Interested in Arts. Thank you and congratulations to Joy for everything she made possible at the Center, and continued success as she begins a new chapter.