Miami Arts and Entertainment Council

Mission Statement

The Arts & Entertainment Council (or MAEC) serves in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations to the Mayor, City Commission and City Manager regarding endorsement or support of specific art and entertainment initiatives. Our objective should also be to create opportunities for emerging arts & entertainment industry professionals.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to become a central hub for Miami’s arts and entertainment community. While Miami has slowly established itself as a vibrant center for the art, thanks to Miami Art Week and Art Basel, it has yet to fully realize its full potential, furthermore, with equal vigor, we need to nurture aspiring musicians, filmmakers, and creators in the music, film, and television industries. The Council seeks to enhance the City of Miami as a global destination on par with other major cities. The Miami Arts and Entertainment Council (MAEC) vision is to bridge this gap by supporting local creatives who seek to live, work, and thrive within the community. Our goal is to foster an environment where creativity flourishes and local creators are honored. Overall, we want to show that the arts are a viable industry that can drive both economic growth and social connection. MAEC should embody the transformative power of the arts to inspire, engage, and connect communities.

Strategic Goals

1. Enhance Cultural Infrastructure
   • Connect with all the art spaces, theaters, and creative hubs throughout the city - starting with the ones that are outlined on our website.
   • Foster public-private partnerships to fund cultural infrastructure projects.
2. Support Artists and Cultural Organizations
   • Provide grants, fellowships, and financial assistance to local artists and arts and entertainment organizations.
3. Engage the Community through Arts
   • Promote inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of Miami’s communities.
   • Expand access to the arts by supporting free or low-cost events and performances.
4. Promote Miami as a Global Arts Destination
   • Highlight Miami’s arts and entertainment offerings through international marketing campaigns - launch our own bimonthly, quarterly magazine, focusing on arts & entertainment.
5. Leverage Arts for Economic Growth
   • Use the arts as a tool for economic development by supporting cultural tourism and creative industries.
   • Encourage local businesses to engage with and invest in the arts.

Division 10 MAEC Code of Ordinances(PDF, 123KB)

The Council shall consist of 11 members. Six members are to be appointed by the Mayor and five members appointed by each City Commissioner.  

Term Limit: 1 year Terms, limited to 8 Consecutive Terms, then 1 year break.

WILLS J. FELIN

Wills J. Felin, Chairman, Board Representative of Chairwoman Christine King (District 5)

Wills Felin serves as the Chairman of the Miami Arts and Entertainment Council, where he along with the council members are dedicated to fostering Miami's cultural and creative industries. In this role as Chairman, Felin’s mission is to spearhead initiatives that highlight Miami's vibrant arts scene, leveraging his extensive background in film and television production to forge partnerships, curate events, and advocate for emerging talent. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to enhancing Miami’s status as a global hub for arts and entertainment.

Born in New York and raised in Miramar, FL, Felin's journey in the entertainment industry began as a production assistant, contributing to films, commercials, and music videos shot in Miami. While studying film and TV production at Miami Dade College, he joined The Box Music Network, where he quickly rose to Manager of Production. During his tenure, Felin oversaw a team of professionals and produced the network’s iconic "Boxtalks" segment, which featured such iconic artists like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, DMX, Ice Cube, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Motley Crüe and many more.

Felin’s career has included pivotal roles at JitterFlix, a film and video production company he helped transform into a dynamic creator of online content for both the private and public sectors. Today, under his leadership, JitterFlix has pivoted into blockchain technology and web 3.0 content creation, forging its way as a trailblazer in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

His leadership on the Miami Arts and Entertainment Council highlights his commitment to expanding opportunities for the creative community and preserving Miami’s reputation as a thriving center of artistic and cultural excellence.

MARIA A. NAPOLES

Maria A. Napoles, Board Representative of Mayor Francis Suarez

Maria A. Napoles is a Miami-based cultural entrepreneur and a key advocate for Latin American and Caribbean contemporary art. As the Founder and Director of the Latin American Art Pavilion (LAAP), she has been instrumental in creating opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists to gain international visibility. Since 2013, LAAP has been dedicated to showcasing contemporary visual artists through exhibitions, consulting, and tailored business strategies. Maria’s career includes leadership roles such as Executive Director of the Arteamericas Latin American Art Fair and Art Director at Art Design Gallery, Miami.

With over a decade of experience in art curation and event management, Maria has become a driving force behind promoting Latin American art globally. She began her journey in the art world as General Manager of Arte al Día International Magazine, where she developed its international subscription and circulation department. Her educational background in psychology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico and her expertise in marketing and business strategy have enabled her to successfully bridge the gap between artists and the global art market.

GERMAN DUBOIS III

German Dubois III, Vice Chair, Board Representative of Mayor Francis Suarez

German Dubois III is a dedicated leader and creative entrepreneur, best known as the Founder and Executive Director of HOPE Murals, an organization that uses art as a vehicle for social change. Since launching the initiative in 2018, German has worked globally to empower youth through art and education, fostering community engagement and providing mentorship.

With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Colgate University and a master’s in education policy from Columbia University Teachers College, German combines academic insight with practical leadership. His previous role as a Sports-Based Youth Development Consultant at Up2Us Sports allowed him to design and implement youth programs internationally, building on his expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and project management.

A passionate advocate for community outreach, German has a strong track record in program development and nonprofit leadership, focusing on staff training, fundraising, and creating sustainable impact. Fluent in Spanish and skilled in public speaking, he continues to inspire change by harnessing the power of art to uplift underserved communities worldwide.

View the updated list of members on Legislative Hub.

The Board meets every second Wednesday of the month at:

Miami City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive

There will be no meeting during the month of August. 

Networking Mixer

MAEC hosted its first Art & Entertainment Networking mixer on September 5^th, 2024. This networking mixer called artists of all mediums and entertainers throughout the City of Miami to a night of networking and enthrallment of the arts with live poetry reading by Miami Poetry Club, live jazz and bossa music by local musicians Lucia & Steven, curated art exhibit of local artists, and dance performance by Alexandra Molina.

Picture of artists that participated in the curated art exhibit and received certificates on behalf of the council. 

Miami Art Week

MAEC partnered with Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE) and the Dorsey House during Miami Art Week to host the “Power of the Pen” panel on December 6^th. The council curated a panel of local artists and advocates to discuss the significance of their crafts.

Picture of the “Power of the Pen” panelists. Panelists from left to right: Emma Cager-Robinson (Highlander Center Group), Edson Jean (Writer, Actor & Director), Kenny Calderon (Comis Book Artist & Teacher), Wilkin Brutus (Reporter & Journalist for WLRN), Sten Garcia (Founder of Miami Poetry Club).

Little Haiti Little River Art Days

The Council sponsored a City of Miami trolley for Locust Projects’ “Little Haiti Little River Art Days” Miami Art Week event on December 7^th, 2024. The trolley provided visitors of various art and entertainment spaces in Little Haiti & Little River transportation to and from the participating locations at no cost. The Council continues to support the LHLR Art Days by providing a city trolley for their quarterly event.

On May 3^rd 2025, the Council sponsored a city of Miami trolley for Little Haiti Little River Art Day’s first event of 2025. Through the Department of Human Services, MAEC coordinated with the organizers of the event and city administration to provide a trolley for patrons of the event. Through rain and shine, the trolley followed a pre-determined loop that lasted the entire event. For more information on each organization please visit lhlrartdays.com. 

MAEC partnered with the Office of Mayor Francis Saurez and Nido, Refuge of Senses in Midtown with honoring Mision Hip Hop at their end of year event on December 18^th, 2024.  Mision Hip Hop is a local organization that work with Miami youth in equipping them with the tools for artistic expression and career opportunities within the arts and entertainment atmosphere, while also offering an outlet for those facing behavioral challenges to channel their energy positively through art. 

Picture of salute and proclamation recipients from the Mision Hip Hop group.