ArtFest Fort Myers Leadership
At the heart of ArtFest Fort Myers is a passionate, creative, and dedicated team that believes in the power of art to bring people together. From event planning and artist support to community outreach and volunteer coordination, our staff works year-round to ensure that every detail of the festival reflects our mission of inclusion, inspiration, and impact. We're more than event professionals- we are advocates for the arts, champions of creativity and proud members of the community we serve.
Juan Santiago
Executive Director
Grisel Martin
Director of Community Engagement
Juan Santiago leads ArtFest Fort Myers with a passion for community, creativity, and connection. Juan champions the power of the arts to inspire, unite, and transform. His vision is rooted in honoring tradition while creating bold new opportunities for artists and audiences alike.
Grisel brings vibrant energy and a heart for community to her role at ArtFest. She is dedicated to building strong relationships with artists, volunteers, and cultural organizations, helping expand ArtFest’s reach and deepen its impact across Southwest Florida.
About ArtFest Fort Myers
Mission
To enrich communities through the transformative power of the arts — by providing a diverse and inclusive platform that amplifies artists, fosters arts education, engages art enthusiasts, and catalyzes economic prosperity.
Vision
The vision of ArtFest Fort Myers is to nurture the community through art educational experiences and an arts-driven economy.
About
ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts and cultural corporation best known for its annual juried fine art festival, which nurtures our entire community's artistic and cultural environment.
On the first weekend in February, 90,000+ people come to the riverfront in downtown Fort Myers and enjoy the extraordinary opportunities the festival provides:
Meeting visual artists from across the country and worldwide, sampling fun cuisine, visiting special exhibits and artist demonstrations, and entertaining their families with interactive art activities and performing arts.
ArtFest Fort Myers also supports arts in education through art education and outreach programs.
As a not-for-profit organization, ArtFest Fort Myers relies on support from grants, sponsorships, artist and food vendor entry fees, beverage sales, and festival T-shirt and poster sales to fund the art festival and outreach programs.
We are also committed to the best practices in the art festival business. We belong to International Festival Events Association, Florida Festival Events Association, and our local Chamber and Alliance for the Arts. The annual Festival Events Association Conventions, behind-the-scene trips to events, frequent calls with festival directors, and local training keep us up-to-date with best practices and innovative ideas.
ArtFest Supports the Community
ArtFest Fort Myers is committed to supporting the community that supports us.
As one of our community's most popular, well-known, and respected arts organizations, we are ever-aware of our responsibility to be involved in the success of art and culture throughout the area. We are members, attendees, and supporters of all the arts organizations in Lee County.
Board of Directors
Greg Madsen
Treasurer
Heidi Davis
Secretary
Pearl Cruz-Morrison
Director
LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier
Director
Teri Moore
Director
Jennifer Smith
Director
Award-Winning Programs
2019 Florida Festival & Events Association
- Best Green Program (We Are Overflowing) – GOLD
- Best T-shirt – GOLD
- Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER
- Best Promotional Item (Tote Bag) – SILVER
2019 International Festival & Events Association
- Best Program to Benefit a Cause (We Are Overflowing) – GOLD
2018 Florida Festival & Events Association
- Most Innovative Project State of Florida (GABI - ChatBot)
- Best T-shirt – GOLD
- Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER
2018 International Festival & Events Association
- Most Innovative Marketing International (GABI - ChatBot)
2017 Nothing Entered to either Association
2016 International Festival & Events Association
- Best Event (within an Existing Festival) - VIP Experience – GOLD
- Best Event (program within an Event to Benefit a Cause) – Cookies for Carts Lee Health – GOLD
- Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity - Allure Luxury Condominiums – SILVER
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Best Sponsorship Program for Individual Sponsor – Suncoast Credit Union & Art Under 20 Competition – BRONZE
2016 Florida Festival & Events Association
- Best Sponsor Program – Suncoast Credit Union & Art Under 20 Competition – GOLD
- Best Event Recap/Annual Report – GOLD
- Best T-shirt Design – GOLD
- Best Social Media Campaign – SILVER
- Best Program/Event Guide – SILVER
- Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER
2015 International Festival & Events Association
- Best Ad Series - Publix Run To The Arts – GOLD
- Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – Copa Di Vino– GOLD
- Best Event (within an Existing Festival) - Publix Run To The Arts – GOLD
- Best Sponsor Partner – Publix Super Markets – SILVER
- Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – CenturyLink – SILVER
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Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – CenturyLink – SILVER
2015 Florida Festival & Events Association
- Best Sponsor Program – Publix Run To The Arts & Publix Art Yard – GOLD
- Best Website – GOLD
- Best Printed Material – Publix Run To The Arts – BRONZE
2014 International Festival & Events Association
- Best Event within an Event to benefit a cause
- Best Sponsorship to benefit the sponsor
- Best T-shirt Design
- Best Ad Series
- Best On-Site Decor
2014 Florida Festival & Events Association
- Best Website
- Best T-shirt Design
- Best Brochure
2013 International Festival & Events Association
- Gold Pinnacle Best New Targeted Sponsorship (Truly Nolen Pest Control)
- Gold Pinnacle Best Event within an Event (Pedal or Paddle Lee Memorial)
- Gold Pinnacle Best Printed Material (TravelHost Magazine Special Section)
- Gold Pinnacle Best Newspaper Insert (Florida Weekly)
- Gold Pinnacle Best T-shirt Design
2013 Florida Festivals and Events Association Awards
- Best Printed Materials
- Best Event with-in an Event
- Best T-shirt design
2016 Chrysalis Award Winner for Cultural Achievement
2010 Chrysalis Award Winner for Sales & Marketing
Appreciation & Outstanding Support Award 2009 for Art Education Funding to Lee County Schools
Alliance for the Arts Award: Arts Organization Leader of the Year 2006
Florida Festivals and Events Association Awards
- Best Press Communications, 2004 - 2009
- Artistic Excellence for Graphic Design Work, 2007
- Best Community Partnership, 2007
- Best Sponsorship Package, 2006
