Tony Allegretti was hired this afternoon as executive director for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.
Allegretti has long been involved in the arts scene in Jacksonville. He launched the First Wednesday Art Walk events Downtown and was founding director of the Riverside Arts Market.
"Now is the time for us to leverage our excellent cultural infrastructure and build on what's already a robust local arts scene," Allegretti said. "I'm truly honored for the opportunity to serve in this role and am excited to work with artists, our amazing art organizations and everyone else eager to help build on the momentum and buzz in our community.”
Diane Brunet-Garcia, chair of the council’s board of directors, said Allegretti is well known in the community as an innovator and arts advocate.
"With his recent engagement with JAX Chamber and the Downtown Investment Authority, he is just the right person to help strengthen our existing relationships with city and cultural partners, while forging new ones with businesses, working artists and the public,” she said.
Allegretti will resign as director of downtown engagement for the chamber, a job he’s held since 2012. He will begin his new role May 1.
"Tony's enthusiasm, relationships and knack for just getting things done Downtown have been great assets to the chamber and our entire community," chamber President Daniel Davis said.
He said Allegretti’s new job puts him in “an ideal position to continue to be a strong advocate for improving the quality of life in Jacksonville.”
While at the chamber, Allegretti worked to build ties between the arts and business communities, including bringing the chamber in as a partner. The chamber hosts artists during Art Walk, features Spark District Songwriter Residency performances at Community First Saturdays and supports large scale murals through the city’s Art in Public Places Program.
He was appointed to the Downtown Investment Authority by former City Council President Bill Bishop, who cited Allegretti’s enthusiasm and “outside-the-box thinking” in creating viable ideas for improving Downtown.
Allegretti replaces Kim Bergeron, who resigned in January after less than three months. Officials said Bergeron wanted to return to Louisiana, where she had worked for the town of Slidell.
Kerri Stewart has served as interim director since Bergeron's departure.