Introducing Our New Executive Director: Scott Evans

We are pleased to announce Scott Evans has been named Executive Director after a national search conducted by Arts Consulting Group and will begin his new position on July 1, 2024.

Evans will finish his tenure as the Senior Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida where he has been for the past 17 years. During his time there, arts education was expanded to all 200 schools in the district now serving over 165,000 students. He tirelessly worked to ensure that all students in Orange County Public Schools and across Florida had equitable opportunities to engage in the arts.

"The Trustees of the Eliot School are eager to welcome Scott into our community,” said Melony Swasey, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Scott is passionate about the power of art access, nurturing new leaders, and deepening community relationships. He brings an energetic, collaborative, and empowering approach to leadership, and we are excited by the possibilities of what he, the staff, the board, and the wider Eliot School community will create together in the coming years."

The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts has four core focus areas. It holds classes at its Jamaica Plain Schoolhouse for adults and children ages 2 to 100; sends teaching artists into Boston schools and community centers; nurtures teen artists and carpenters through its Teen Bridge and Career Pathways in Carpentry and Craft programs; and facilitates artisans’ talks, faculty exhibitions, and other events throughout the year.  

“I’m incredibly honored to join the Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts family. The school’s dedication to fostering creativity and celebrating diversity mirrors my own passion. My enthusiasm for providing people of all ages with a safe and welcoming space to explore their passions and further develop their artistry is also matched here at the Eliot School,” Evans said. “I can’t wait to get started in leading the team and collaborating with the board and community in nurturing an inclusive, creative environment for people of all ages. I look forward to what we can accomplish together!” 

Building on an extraordinary 348-year history of educating people from all walks of life, the Eliot School’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning in craftsmanship and creativity for all. It cultivates welcoming environments where people convene across a continuum of age, economic means, and backgrounds to build skills, craftsmanship, and community.

 

About Scott Evans

Scott Evans is an esteemed educator in the Orlando area, dedicated to enhancing arts education for students. Since 1997, he has been making a positive impact after graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He furthered his education by obtaining a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida.  

Mr. Evans served as the Senior Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Orange County Public Schools for 17 years. During his tenure, arts education was expanded to all 200 schools in the district now serving over 165,000 students. Through grants and community partnerships, he was able to procure millions of dollars of additional funds to help provide critical resources to all classrooms. Additionally, he dedicated his time to several boards and committees, including the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, A Gift for Music, and Central Florida Community Arts. He also chaired the Education Committee for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and served on the Advocacy Committee for the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs office.  

Mr. Evans' passion for arts education access is evident in his advocacy efforts. He tirelessly worked to ensure that all students in Orange County Public Schools and across Florida had equitable opportunities to engage in the arts. His efforts led to strengthened collaborations and integration between local arts organizations and the district's arts education ecosystem. These partnerships, with organizations such as United Arts of Central Florida, Teatro for the Soul, Central Florida Vocal Arts, Central Florida Community Arts, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Shakes, Flamenco del Sol, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orlando Family Stage, have directly impacted over 80,000 students annually throughout the community.