John Abodeely

When John Abodeely stepped into the role of President and CEO of Oolite Arts in February 2025, he brought with him a powerful belief: that artists are not only creators, but catalysts for stronger, more resilient communities. With more than 20 years at the forefront of cultural leadership, Abodeely has built a career on expanding access to the arts, reimagining institutions, and proving that creativity is a force for transformation.

He has led on some of the nation’s biggest stages. In Houston, as CEO of the Houston Arts Alliance, he doubled the organization’s budget, revolutionized its grantmaking to be more transparent and equitable, and launched a groundbreaking Disaster Resilience program that integrated artists into emergency response — a bold model now looked to across the country.

At the national level, Abodeely served under President Barack Obama as Acting Executive Director and Deputy Director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, chaired by First Lady Michelle Obama. There, he championed landmark arts education and cultural diplomacy programs, raising millions in new funding and ensuring the arts reached classrooms and communities at home and abroad. His career has also included leadership roles at the Kennedy Center and Americans for the Arts, and teaching education policy at George Washington University.

Abodeely’s vision is fueled by both rigor and passion. With a BA in Biology and Fine Arts from Amherst College and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, he bridges creative insight with strategic discipline — always with artists at the center.

Now, at Oolite Arts, Abodeely is leading the organization into its boldest chapter yet. As Oolite celebrates 40 years of championing Miami’s artists, he is guiding the creation of its transformative new Little River campus and expanding rare, unrestricted support for artists. His charge is clear: to amplify Miami’s vibrant artistic community, position the city as an international hub for creativity, and demonstrate to the world the essential role of artists in shaping a stronger, more connected future.