State of the Orlando arts

[Boomer136]

Unfortunately the annual "Red Chair Affair" variety show/fundraiser has also been scrapped.

[klstorey]

Thoughts on adding arts to the tourist tax options? I like the idea and there's only so much you can do to that convention center. We got the family vacations, the conventions and the sports maybe now we should look at beefing up our museums. The Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art are both in desperate need of an update. It's almost embarrassing how bad the science center is these days.

[jack]

I believe a portion of the TDT goes to the arts. Probably United Arts. 

[smileguy]

There are four arts programs funded through the TDT.

1) Orange County has historically funded $1 per cap to United Arts. This fell during the recession and has been backfilled with TDT.  This funding is spent on collaborative marketing and passed on to arts orgs through United Arts grants.

2) Cultural Tourism - This is project-based funding that arts groups can apply for through a competitive grant process that focuses on distinguishing Orange County as a "World Class" arts and culture destination and driving incremental tourists.  Must be matched at least 1:1.

3) Cultural Facilities - This is capital project funding of up to $250k/year to build or renovate cultural facilities. Museums, theaters, and cities have all received this at one time or another. It funded new HVAC systems at the OSC, a new roof recently at OMA and renovations to Shakes, The REP and the new Mad Cow.  It is a very limited fund - both in availability and allowed expenditures.

4) A new fund this year is the Arts Blockbuster fund.  This is going to be built over a number of years and is designed to fund large-scale "blockbuster" exhibits or events that will attract international attention and large-scale visitation. 

 

With the new Harry Potter attraction and high-end hotels coming online, there is an expected uptick in TDT, and the arts could benefit from a larger allocation. There are many, many more arts experiences - performing arts tickets, museum and gallery visits, classes, etc. than professional and amateur sporting attendance in the region.  These experiences are spread through many smaller (almost all nonprofit) organizations that don't have the clout of a major league sports team. DPAC will be a nice venue, but it remains to be seen what they can do programming wise to attract tourists or benefit residents. 

[smileguy]

The Orlando Philharmonic announced their new music director last night after a year-long public search project.  I'm thrilled that it's Eric Jacobsen. He is young, and much more adventurous than our last couple of conductors. Along with this position, he plays cello in the Brooklyn Rider quartet, conducts the Silk Road Ensemble (frequent Yo Yo Ma collaborators) and is a co-founder of the Knights chamber orchestra.

 

Here's a video of Brooklyn Rider playing in Winter Park.