Gary Dunning w/Barb Kelley

Founder/President 

Gary Dunning

President, North Broward Arts

Gary Dunning is a lifelong arts professional, visual artist, and community arts advocate whose career reflects a deep commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the transformative power of the arts. As President of North Broward Arts, Gary provides leadership and vision for the organization's mission to expand access to the arts, support local and emerging artists, and create meaningful cultural experiences that bring communities together.

Gary's professional career spans more than four decades in the performing arts. For over 45 years, he worked as a lighting designer in regional theater, developing a distinguished career dedicated to bringing artistic visions to life on stage. His accomplishments include Carbonell Award nominations, recognizing excellence in South Florida's professional theater community. His extensive experience in production, artistic collaboration, and event presentation has given him a unique understanding of the planning, coordination, and teamwork required to successfully produce high-quality arts experiences.

In addition to his work in theater, Gary has continued to evolve as a creative professional and visual artist. His current artistic practice focuses on thread art, an innovative medium in which he combines thread and acrylics to create richly textured and visually compelling works. His transition from theater to visual art demonstrates his continuing passion for artistic exploration and his belief that creativity can take many forms.

As President of North Broward Arts, Gary brings together his extensive arts background, organizational leadership experience, and passion for community engagement. He is dedicated to creating opportunities for artists to exhibit and promote their work while developing inclusive arts experiences for families, children, and adults throughout Broward County. Under his leadership, North Broward Arts has pursued partnerships and community collaborations designed to connect artists with audiences and make the arts a vibrant and accessible part of everyday community life.

Gary is particularly committed to creating programs that encourage participation across generations, including art festivals, educational workshops, children's programming, and opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds to share their talents. His leadership supports North Broward Arts' goal of building a stronger local arts community while providing artists with opportunities for exposure, professional growth, and meaningful connections with the public.

Through his work with North Broward Arts, Gary Dunning continues a lifelong commitment to the arts—first as a professional working behind the scenes to support artistic expression, and now as an arts leader helping to build platforms where artists can be seen, appreciated, and celebrated. His vision is to foster a thriving, inclusive arts community where creativity enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike.

Meet Our Team

We have a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our organization.

Get to know the dedicated individuals behind North Broward Arts, who are passionate about creating community through the arts. We hope that by learning about our staff, you will feel inspired by their dedication and commitment to North Broward Arts. We invite you to join us in supporting the arts and making a difference in our community. Consider volunteering your time, donating to our cause, or simply spreading the word about our programs. Together, we can create a vibrant and thriving arts community for all.