Molly Deckart-Rowan

Molly Rowan-Deckart: Fire at the Helm

Molly Rowan-Deckart is one of those people everyone either knows or wants to get to know. This dynamic, beautiful, creative straight-shooter is passionate about the arts and has the skill-set, charisma, and proven semi-magical ability to “make things happen” through tenacious determination, perseverance, hard work, and a wonderful way with people. Who can resist this charming, intelligent fire-starter? With Rowan-Deckart at the helm, there’s new excitement about what’s next for the arts in Southwest Florida.

Molly Rowan-Deckart

Rowan-Deckart is the Executive Director of the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers and now a leading figure in the arts community. Naples Noteworthy had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her work, life, and vision, and we are delighted that she agreed to this feature.

She recently shared with Naples Noteworthy her vision for the Alliance for the Arts.

“My vision,” she said, “is to continue its transformation into a dynamic and inclusive hub that not only celebrates but amplifies the voices of our community through creativity, education, and cultural expression. I envision the Alliance as a catalyst for economic growth, a staunch advocate for the arts, and a vibrant destination for arts engagement, serving as a regional leader in cultural accessibility and creative innovation. By expanding partnerships, increasing access to the arts for all, and fostering an environment where every resident feels connected through the arts, we will build a sustainable future where art is an essential, integrated part of Southwest Florida’s identity.”

We asked if the arts have always been important to her, or when she first knew her life would revolve around the arts.

“The arts have always been central to my life, and I’d say it’s in my genes,” she replied. “Both sides of my family are filled with creatives, so I was practically raised with a paintbrush in one hand and a sketchbook in the other. Growing up, I fell in love with the arts through storytelling and visual expression—discovering how powerful they are for conveying emotions and connecting people.

“After college, I was driven to the nonprofit arts sector out of sheer frustration. I watched my incredibly talented friends pack up and move to cities with strong arts infrastructures, leaving behind places that desperately needed that same creative energy. That’s when I realized I could work to make a difference locally. My journey, from founding film festivals to leading the Alliance for the Arts, has been about ensuring that communities like ours don’t lose out on the transformative power of art. Art bridges divides, fosters collective growth, and enriches every aspect of life—something I’m passionate about bringing to Southwest Florida.”

Molly Rowan-Deckart

Rowan-Deckart has a degree in Fine Arts from Boise State University. She is particularly drawn to contemporary art and visual storytelling, “especially works that push boundaries or challenge societal norms. Film holds a special place for me,” she related, “as it combines so many elements of art and narrative in one medium.”

Her role at the Alliance keeps her constantly on the move, but she still finds time to engage with the arts–whether it’s visiting exhibitions, collecting pieces from local artists, or championing arts education. “While I haven’t picked up a paintbrush in years, my passion for the arts remains deeply personal. Staying connected to the creative community and supporting artists keeps me rooted in the world that initially inspired my journey into the arts.”

Naples Noteworthy asked what a typical day or week was like for her as the Executive Director of the Alliance for the Arts.

“My typical day as Executive Director?” She laughed, “Well, imagine juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle—only instead of torches, it’s grant proposals, budget reports, and a never-ending string of meetings. I start the day taxiing my teenagers to school, with a large coffee in hand (because that’s the real fuel of nonprofit work), then dive into strategy sessions with our team, where we all wear about six different hats—sometimes literally, because who doesn’t love a fun hat day?

“Honestly, no two days are the same, but that’s what keeps it exciting. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference and bring the arts to life in our community—kind of like organizing a mini-artistic circus, but with fewer clowns. Usually.”

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As we all know, recent Florida state cuts in funding have posed a devastating blow to the arts throughout Florida and to organizations such as the Alliance for the Arts. Some even question the value and necessity of the arts in our communities. Rowan-Deckart was asked to respond to these accusations and to suggest how the communities of Fort Myers, Naples and Bonita Springs—and the surrounding regions—might work together to combat this assault on our culture and identity, and to show that we are united and will persist and thrive despite this staggering setback.

“Art is more than just entertainment,” she explained, “it is a driver of economic growth, a tool for education, and a way to foster empathy and community connection. It is a top five industry in the state of Florida. The arts contribute over $135 million to Lee County’s economy ($147.1 million for Collier County), and they provide jobs, attract tourism, and enhance our quality of life. In response to funding cuts, we must lean into philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, and public advocacy. By uniting the regions of Fort Myers, Naples, and Bonita Springs, we can present a collective front, advocating for public support and increasing private investment in the arts. The community must rally to show that our cultural identity and economic future are intertwined with the vitality of the arts.”

Rowan-Deckart believes there are ways to enrich the cultural arts scene in the Naples/Ft Myers/Bonita Springs cosmopolitan area.

“I see tremendous potential for collaboration between these cities to create a cultural corridor that enhances access to arts and maximizes resources,” she elaborated. “Shared programming, joint events, and co-sponsored public art initiatives would allow us to pool talent, funding, and audiences. One idea is to develop a regional arts summit between municipalities, arts organizations and higher, aimed at expanding cross-city partnership, workforce development in the arts and establish stronger connections with state and federal arts funding, benefiting the region as a whole.”

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Coming to the Naples/Ft Myers region from Boise, Idaho, where she served as Executive Director of both the Boise Film Foundation and the Idaho Horror Film Festival, Rowan-Deckart was asked to gauge the health of our local arts community–whether we are thriving, where we could welcome improvements, and how our community compares to the vibrant arts culture of Boise, Idaho? What can we learn from Boise?

“The arts culture in Southwest Florida is growing, but there’s definitely room for further expansion and collaboration,” she answered. “We’ve seen a surge of interest in arts programming and strong community participation, but the recent state funding cuts have created significant challenges. To ensure the vibrancy of the arts sector in our region, it’s critical that we secure dedicated arts funding from Lee County, which could provide a stable foundation for growth. In comparison, Boise’s arts community thrives thanks to strong city support, public-private partnerships, and a collaborative arts ecosystem. We can learn from Boise’s focus on arts funding, policy advocacy, and regional partnerships to strengthen our own arts infrastructure. By enhancing collaboration between Fort Myers, Naples, and Bonita Springs, we can create a unified cultural identity that drives economic growth and fosters social cohesion across the region.”

Rowan-Deckart was asked about her strong background in film and why she believes film is an important component of the arts.

Molly Deckart-Rowan

“Film has always been a passion of mine because of its ability to combine storytelling, visual art, sound, and human emotion in a uniquely powerful way,” she replied. “I am obsessed with the economic benefits of film as a medium. Film is an inclusive art form, involving trades, contractors, graphic design, photographers, and hospitality. In my work with the Boise Film Foundation and the Idaho Horror Film Festival, I witnessed firsthand how film can engage diverse audiences, promote dialogue, serve as a vehicle for cultural expression, and grow the economic impact of the arts. At the Alliance, I’m excited to continue integrating film into our programming because it is a critical, accessible medium that connects people across generational and cultural divides.”

Naples Noteworthy asked if she cared to comment on her association with the horror genre, whether this was a film style she particularly enjoys, or what inspired her to initiate the Idaho Horror Film Festival.

“No, I’m not particularly a fan of horror as a genre, but I have a deep appreciation for what it does to help grow film culture,” she clarified. “The Idaho Horror Film Festival was always more about the why than the what. Horror is an incredibly accessible genre—if you look at any major director, chances are they’ve made a horror film at some point. It’s where many emerging filmmakers cut their teeth, and in Idaho, we were trying to do more than just entertain. We wanted to get people excited about local filmmakers and provide a platform for them to exhibit their work, connect with others, and receive mentoring from industry heavyweights. And we succeeded in doing just that. Horror gave us a vehicle to build a community around film, and that’s what truly inspired me to start the festival.”

As Executive Director of both the Boise Film Foundation and the Idaho Horror Film Festival, Rowan-Deckart grew both entities from the ground up. We asked what she believes were the driving factors for her success and what advice she would give others who are attempting to embark on similar aspirations.

Molly Deckart-Rowan

“The driving factors for my success were passion, perseverance, and, most importantly, my ability to get people to buy into an intangible mission, even when there was no proof of concept,” she asserted. “Whether it was the Boise Film Foundation or the Idaho Horror Film Festival, I had to convince people to believe in the potential of these ideas long before they saw the results. Building a strong network of supporters—through partnerships, volunteers, and local businesses—was key to turning these dreams into reality. My advice to anyone looking to start something similar? Focus on building genuine relationships, be adaptable, and stay committed to your mission, even when the path isn’t clear. Transparent communication and authentic engagement with stakeholders will help build the trust you need to grow your organization from the ground up.”

Naples Noteworthy asked what was coming up at the Alliance for the Arts.

Molly Deckart-Rowan

“We’ve got some really exciting things on the horizon as we gear up to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Alliance for the Arts!” Rowan-Deckart announced. “Starting in January, we’re kicking off a year-long jubilee of events. One of the highlights will be our gladiolus garden, which pays homage to the land’s history as a gladiolus farm. We’ll invite the community to come and snip some blooms, creating a beautiful, shared experience. We’re also bringing back Jazz on the Green, a beloved event from back in the day that’s sure to make a big splash once again.

“In addition, we’ll be launching our Pop-Up Art Museum, a no commission show of museum quality work and hosting our first gala in a very long time, the Feast of the Senses Gala, both of which are set to be show-stoppers. On the programming front, we’re expanding our Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab offerings to include certifications in Adobe and continuing our Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, bringing thought-provoking films and discussions to the community. There’s a lot to celebrate, and I can’t wait to share it all with our community!”

Asked about the online shop at the Alliance for the Arts and whether there were any plans to expand this with more artist offerings such as jewelry, pottery and art, Rowan-Deckart gave this answer:

“Yes! We are actively working to expand our online shop and feature a wider variety of artist offerings, including local jewelry, pottery, and fine art. We are getting ready to launch a new website with advanced e-commerce capabilities that will help provide more exposure for member artists of the Alliance. This is part of our broader initiative to support local artists and provide them with platforms for selling their work. We want to make it easier for our community to engage with and purchase unique, locally crafted pieces while supporting our region’s creative economy.”

We then asked if she could have coffee with any artist, living or dead, who would she choose, and why?

Judith Beheading Holofernes
Judith Beheading Holofernes | Caravaggio

“If I could have coffee with any artist, it would have to be Caravaggio,” Rowan-Deckart decided. “Not only was he a master of light and shadow, but his life was as dramatic as his paintings. I’d love to sit down with him and ask what was going on in his head when he created pieces like The Calling of Saint Matthew or Judith Beheading Holofernes? Plus, let’s be honest, the man lived a wild life filled with scandal, brawls, and controversy. I imagine coffee with him would be anything but dull. It would probably feel like stepping into one of his paintings: intense, a little dangerous, and utterly fascinating!”

The biggest influences in her life?

Molly Deckart-Rowan

“One of the biggest influences in my life has been my mom,” she related. “She always encouraged us to march to the beat of our own drum, never forcing us into a mold but rather pushing us to explore our passions and be true to ourselves. Her motto was simple: if you don’t like something, change it. That advice has been a guiding force throughout my life, especially in my career in the arts. Her belief in making positive change, no matter how small, has shaped how I approach everything—from advocating for the arts to building meaningful connections in the community. She showed me that we have the power to shape our world, and that’s a lesson I carry with me every day.”

What does she do for fun?

“For fun, I love spending time with my three teenage children—they keep life lively, full of surprises, and there’s always something new to learn from them! We enjoy going to the beach, exploring art exhibitions, or simply watching a good movie together. I’m also a big fan of visiting local galleries and collecting art from local artists. When I need some solo time, I love diving into a good book or enjoying the outdoors, especially if there’s a beach sunset involved. Those quiet, reflective moments by the water are some of my favorites.”

Her idea of a perfect evening?

“Painting the night away.”

Final thoughts?

Molly Rowan-Deckart

“I’d just like to say that the arts are so much more than entertainment,” Rowan-Deckart emphasized, “they’re a vital part of our community’s health, culture, and economy. Supporting the arts means supporting a vibrant, creative, and connected society. Whether it’s through attending events, donating, or simply sharing the importance of arts education, every bit helps. Now more than ever, with the challenges we face, we need to come together to ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone. Investing in the arts is investing in our future, and together we can create a community that thrives on creativity and connection.”


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Molly Rowan-Deckart with Stewart, one of her “two no-good adorable wienie dogs”, the other being Penelope.