James Shermer joined Broward Cultural Division in January 1999. Prior to coming to the Cultural Division, he was the Assistant Director of Performing Arts at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute (Museum of Art, School of Art, and Performing Arts) in Utica, NY, a position he held since 1989. He has 15 years of experience in arts administration.

Mr. Shermer has a B.B.A. from Texas Christian University and holds a M.M. in music and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami; he also completed the Mid-Career program at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.