Carol Velasques Richardson is the Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Gainesville. Ms. Velasques Richardson was the Museum Coordinator for the A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the past Chair of the Arts Council of Alachua County, Advisory Board Member with WUFT TV/Classic 89, University of Florida, Advisory Board Member University of Florida Humanities and Public Sphere Chair and City of Alachua’s Parks Recreation and Culture and Theater Director. She was also the co-founder and Station Manager of WUBA 88.1 FM in High Springs, Florida- a full-power community based radio station where she used the media to explore the arts, culture, news and health in public communications programming.
Ms. Velasques Richardson’s career in the performing arts began in the early 90s as an actress, Managing Director of the Acrosstown Repertory Theater and then shifted to Multidisciplinary Arts and Culture Management. She has produced and directed 50+ theater productions for both youth and adults.
Ms. Velasques Richardson has served on the National Endowment for the Arts, Challenge America Panel, The State of Florida Division of Culture Multidisciplinary panel and The State of Florida Media Arts Panel. While serving for 10 years on the City of Gainesville’s Cultural Advisory Board, she co-wrote the City’s cultural element plan. Carol has co-developed a county-wide (nine municipalities) strategic plan which includes public art, performing, visual art and various multidiscipline which affect underserved and rural communities. She works to engage communities on the value of the arts and how the arts also contribute to economic development and sustainability for communities.
Ms. Velasques Richardson is dedicated to communities in which she lives and works to supports the arts wherever possible by providing a platform for the artists, arts organizations and reviews public policies. She is also dedicated to developing programming and assisting agencies and communities in developing and nurturing its own creative resources.
Carol is delighted to serve as Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Gainesville and works to make Gainesville a cultural destination and welcoming community for all to enjoy and participate in the arts.