Central Florida Community Arts names Justin Muchoney executive director

Central Florida Community Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community by making the arts accessible to all, has named artistic director and founding member of CFCArts Justin Muchoney as its next executive director, effective immediately. 

Muchoney, who has been serving as the interim executive director since 2024, will remain the nonprofit's artistic director along with his new permanent role. 

“For nearly a year, Justin has guided our team and supporters through a challenging season, and he did so with remarkable grace and efficiency while prioritizing CFCArts’ foundation both operationally and in terms of our mission,” said CFCArts' Board Chairman Chad Faulkenberry. “It’s been the most comprehensive job interview a board of directors could ask for, and it was clear to all that he is the right person for the role.” 

Along with demonstrating his ability to be effective in this role during his time as interim, Muchoney's background as an entertainment and production team leader at Walt Disney World and work as a music director and conductor for CFCArts — where he played a significant role in growing CFCArts’ now 400-plus member orchestra and other musical programming, such as the establishment of two of the nation’s largest adult volunteer music ensembles and the development of nationally recognized music programs for children, older adults and exceptional learners.

During his time as interim director, CFCArts was recognized at the 2024 Music Cities Awards, winning the award for Best Initiative Using Music to Improve Health and Well-being, and also received the Autism Community Impact Grant from The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

In recent months, Muchoney has worked with the board of directors and staff to oversee an internal audit, operational changes and a restructuring of processes to enhance business protocols and ensure good stewardship at all levels of the organization. 

“Because of my history with CFCArts, I come to this role with a solid foundation rooted in our mission, built on stability, trust and a fierce commitment to the people who call Central Florida home,” Muchoney said. “Our stakeholders can be confident that in recent months, every process and internal structure has been evaluated, documented and improved. We also have new leadership on the Executive Committee and five new board members, and we have invested in developing our staff and deepening our communication and relationships with donors, patrons and members. I’m pleased to share that we are a healthy organization with the clarity and infrastructure to move ahead; everything about this journey has been about our future.”

Since the organization’s renewed focus on more strategic operations, under Muchoney's leadership, there has been a 39% increase in individual donors over the last year, as well as significant increases in program participation, including a record number of orchestra musicians and youth theater participants.

Along with Muchoney's appointment, Faulkenberry, also a founding member of CFCArts, returns to serve on the board, and Tom Clements, CFO of Katmai Government Services, has joined the organization as its next treasurer.

For more information on the organization, visit CFCArts.com.