For Elizabeth Young, usually called Liz, the heart of the Florida Keys island chain has always been its creative community. For the last 19 years, she has worked as an integral supporter of that heart.
A former New York City casting director in film and television, Young moved to Key West in 1987 and was entranced by the island’s multifaceted arts community.
While starting a family and raising two daughters with husband Gary Young, she was involved in multiple arts and nonprofit endeavors — including a position with renowned photographer Alan Maltz, fundraising and planning events for the local Montessori school, and serving as assistant stage manager for the acclaimed “Nutcracker Key West” ballet productions.
In 2008, putting her professional skills and passion for creativity to the best possible use, Young became executive director of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. Dedicated to advancing the Keys’ cultural community through advocacy, education, and financial support, the arts council will shortly kick off its 30th anniversary year.
Recently she discussed her work, life and island home with the Keys Weekly.
What made you choose to move to Key West in 1987? I had been visiting since 1979. My parents had some Chicago friends here and it became our getaway. We just fell in love with Key West. The intellectual creativity and artistry — and the legacy of the writers and artists and that saltwater air — really appealed to me. Then I met Gary, a New Yorker who had been living in Key West since 1982, and he convinced me to come and live here with him.
After a career in New York City, Key West must have been a big change for you. How did that feel? I felt like I was living in Greenwich Village in the summer. I loved the tightness of Old Town, how the island changes block by block, and that everybody was living here very harmoniously. There was always something new — great restaurants, great culture, the history, nightlife at the Copa and the Monster, interesting people around every corner — and to me, that was just so beautiful.
What drew you to spend your professional life in the arts and nonprofit sectors? When I was in high school, my sister was an actress/singer, and I started working backstage. I learned how to be a stage manager, and I loved being around those creative people. My skills as a stage manager are basically what an arts administrator is. I love supporting people who are creative, making sure that artists are seen and heard and get the credit for who they are and what they do.
How would you describe the arts council today? The job of an arts council is to showcase the artists and the arts organizations. It’s making people aware of the creative industry and its impact on the economy, building up all of the audiences and making arts accessible to everybody. We connect artists to audiences and audiences to artists, whatever that takes — promotion, connecting, calls to artists — to assist artists who are living and working in Monroe County. We also act as the arts advisory board to the government. We’re working with the board of county commissioners to enhance knowledge of the Keys for their creativity and artists.
What are some of the things that you’ve overseen for the arts council that matter most to you? I’ve developed a huge passion for the public art program, and I’m very involved on a statewide level. We also have our Connections project, connecting the Keys with local artists’ visuals, and the Gather Round series that spotlights so many of the great nonprofits. I’m very proud of our Art Builds Community grants, and our Artists in the Schools grants are giving teaching artists an opportunity to connect with arts education and introducing students to the creative arts. I’m also proud of establishing and co-curating the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail on behalf of John Padget and Jacob Dekker, and I feel very strongly about how many cultural organizations are thriving in our community.
What do you do when you’re not working? What do you love to do? I love spending time with my family. Gary and I are about to be married for 39 years. He is my rock. His support of what I love to do is priceless. I love to go to the theater and gallery openings, and be out in the community. I’m very blessed to have my parents here, and I’m thrilled that my elder daughter Emily and her husband have started their family here. We love being grandparents to their daughter Sophia.
After living in Key West for nearly 40 years, what elements of the island remain most important to you? The people — the people that teach us, guide us, lead us and have created this beautiful community. I love the history of the island and the romance of it. I still see it as this little island at the end of the road … and it’s home.
