Manatee County's Arts/Culture/Heritage Working Group recently hired Ann Wykell as an independent contractor to research, develop and report on the possible creation of an overarching arts, culture and heritage council for Manatee County.

The working group has been meeting since last fall to determine a path toward the realization of an independent organization that would unite Manatee County’s educational institutions, nonprofits, businesses and corporations with the county’s arts, culture and heritage entities to enhance quality of life for residents, create economic development and increase tourism. Wykell will be reaching out to businesses and community and county organizations in July and August to garner feedback and then will provide various business models and funding plans that could support the vision and mission of a county-wide arts organization. Wykell will deliver her final report to the working group in October; the group will then present it to the community in November.