Arts, education and humanities professional Azela Santana has been confirmed by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners as manager of the Orange County Regional History Center and executive director of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Santana, who has 20 years of experience in Central Florida, was confirmed following a nationwide search. She will assume her new role on December 9, 2024.
“Throughout her nearly two-decade career in the arts and humanities, Azela Santana has personified the attributes of creativity, partnership and innovation that Orange County values. I am confident that she will continue the Regional History Center’s award-winning traditions while leading the museum into a future of national prominence and distinction.”
– ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR JERRY L. DEMINGS
Covering more than 14,000 years of regional history, the museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and it is one of only twelve museums in Florida affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
Currently, Santana serves as director for advancement at the University of Central Florida’s College of Arts and Humanities. Overseeing the college’s major gift fundraising as well as donor and alumni engagement, she fosters community relationships and impactful collaborations to drive engagement and philanthropy. In 2022, Santana’s efforts to build relationships and strategic partnerships were recognized with the University’s inaugural UCF Advancement Core Values Excellence and Partnership Award.
Prior to her work at UCF, Santana held multiple positions of leadership within the Orlando Museum of Art. As the associate curator, she championed efforts in the development and execution of numerous high-profile, award-winning exhibitions. These included the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art from 2014-2016, Maya Lin: A History of Water, 2015; Taíno: Discovering a Caribbean Culture, 2013-2014; and the rotating exhibition series New Work: A Series of Bi-Monthly Exhibitions of Contemporary Art, 2010-2014. Santana also served as the museum’s collections and exhibitions coordinator and education assistant.
Tracing its roots to 1942, the Historical Society of Central Florida is a nonprofit organization that supports the Regional History Center in partnership with the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
Bungalower Media is a proud community partner of the History Center.
