7 Dynamic Organizations Promoting The Arts In Florida
Technology has made it easier and easier to access entertainment from home, but even the latest virtual reality system can't compare to the excitement of seeing live entertainment. Whether it's opera, ballet, or theatre, the arts can educate, entertain, and inspire audiences young and old. If you live in Florida and are looking for a way to support creativity, check out the seven wonderful organizations listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Florida Groups That Promote The Arts
| Organization | Location | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Miami City Ballet | Miami Beach | Produce and present the highest level of dance performances and train young aspiring dancers |
| The Florida Orchestra | St. Petersburg | Inspire, entertain, and educate a wide and diverse audience with the unique experience of live symphonic music |
| Locust Projects | Miami | Create opportunities for visual artists at all career stages and advocate for artists and creative practices |
| Florida Repertory Theatre | Fort Myers | Create, nurture, and develop an ensemble of theatre professionals and provide accessible theatre to all |
| National YoungArts Foundation | Miami | Identify accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, and performing arts, and provide them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers |
| Florida Studio Theatre | Sarasota | Make theatre accessible and affordable to as many people as possible and present theatre that challenges and entertains |
| Sarasota Opera | Sarasota | Foster artistic excellence, diversity, and vitality in the Sarasota area and promote and increase public knowledge and appreciation of opera |
8 Great Films About The Arts
- I, Don Giovanni (2009)
- Black Swan (2010)
- Frida (2002)
- All About Eve (1950)
- Birdman (2014)
- Basquiat (1996)
- Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
- Amadeus (1984)
Fun Activities for Music Lovers
- Go to the opera
- Learn an instrument, like piano or guitar
- Get a decorative music box for your home
- Go to a concert or symphony
- Take your music on-the-go with a pair of headphones or a portable speaker
- Learn more about music theory
- Invite your friends over to listen to records
Who Decides What Art Means?
In Depth
Despite its reputation for overpriced nightclubs and tourist traps, Florida has been home to many outstanding artists over the years. There are countless performers, writers, and visual artists working in the state right now, and to see them, you just have to know where to look. In no particular order, here are seven organizations dedicated to helping promising artists get their work in front of receptive audiences in Florida.
Starting off the list at #1 is the Miami City Ballet. Founded in 1985, it has performed more than 100 ballets to over 132,000 patrons in South Florida and across the country. In addition to the company's repertoire of performances, the MCB School offers training to young dancers as well as a pre-professional division for teen students who are serious about a career in the art of dance.
The company's community engagement programs help to connect with the local community through workshops at schools. It also offers the Ballet Bus, which provides underserved children between the ages of seven and ten with dance training, including subsidized tuition, transportation, and dance attire. In addition to seeking regular donations, the company invites supporters to come to regular performances and special events, such as the yearly Gala and Nutcracker Magic Children's Soiree.
It also offers the Ballet Bus, which provides underserved children between the ages of seven and ten with dance training, including subsidized tuition, transportation, and dance attire.
Coming in at #2 is The Florida Orchestra. Based in St. Petersburg, it continues a rich tradition of orchestral music in the Tampa area by encouraging people of all backgrounds to experience the joy of live symphonic music. Discounted admission is offered to students, teachers, and members of the military, and the Classical Kids program offers free tickets to the Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concert series.
TFO performs concerts for thousands of elementary-aged students during the school day, and its open rehearsals program shows young people how playing in an orchestra really works. The best way to support the group is to attend shows or make a financial contribution online. Fans who are planning an intimate event can hire a small ensemble of players for weddings or other gatherings. You can even request a private lesson if you'd like one-on-one attention from a working professional dedicated to their craft.
At #3 is Locust Projects, an arts incubator providing opportunities for visual artists at all stages of their careers. Its exhibitions favor experimentation and risk-taking, encouraging the active role of art in society and culture. Based in Miami, the space presents visual, film, audio, and interactive art that can surprise and inspire. Locust Projects is free to the public, ensuring all members of the community have access to these vibrant, cutting-edge works.
Based in Miami, the space presents visual, film, audio, and interactive art that can surprise and inspire.
Locust Art Builders is a four-week summer intensive for teens interested in artistic and design-oriented careers. It's free to all accepted students, including a stipend for travel expenses. Locust Projects also works with WaveMaker Grants to provide funding for art projects that are accessible to the public. MFA students can submit proposals for the storefront's Project Room, and local artists can apply for a two-to-six week residency to work with the organization on something truly special.
#4 is the Florida Repertory Theatre. Active for more than 20 years, Florida Rep has worked hard to develop a quality ensemble of theater professionals putting on a variety of plays, from comedies, mysteries, and children's shows to daring modern works. Employing multiple stages, the company is able to produce multiple plays at a time and mix newer titles with well-known classics.
Each year, Florida Rep holds a fundraising gala that helps it to collect the funds needed to put on such professional productions. The group's educational arm includes a variety of classes as well as spring and summer camps for youngsters interested in theater. There are also Conservatory shows that kids can audition for, providing young actors with an introduction to the world of professional regional theater.
There are also Conservatory shows that kids can audition for, providing young actors with an introduction to the world of professional regional theater.
The #5 selection is the National YoungArts Foundation, which helps exceptional young people to fulfill their potential in visual, literary, and performing arts by providing them with development opportunities at different stages of their careers. The Miami campus has been listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places, and it's easy to see why. The Gallery, designed by Frank Gehry, hosts exhibitions by teachers and alumni throughout the year.
The program for emerging artists between the ages of 15 and 18 involves a blind judging process, and winners can receive financial support and the chance to work with mentors like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Wynton Marsalis, and Salman Rushdie. Notable alumni include Viola Davis and Josh Groban. Anyone interested in helping these talented teens can become a member, which also involves the chance to attend performances by current and former participants.
At #6 is the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. One of the largest subscription theaters in the nation, FST puts on productions at multiple theaters, including musicals, contemporary comedies, plays for children, and performances of plays written by youth. There are even improv comedy shows that allow audience members to participate in the fun.
One of the largest subscription theaters in the nation, FST puts on productions at multiple theaters, including musicals, contemporary comedies, plays for children, and performances of plays written by youth.
The Young Playwrights Festival receives more than 6,000 submissions yearly, and the best are produced and presented to the public, supporting fresh voices in the community. FST is able to put on so many top-notch productions because of the support it receives from its members, including patrons who co-produce plays through generous gifts. Local actors who wish to perform with the company can participate in auditions and join the many talented people who have been on its stages.
Finishing up the list at #7 is the Sarasota Opera, which has presented classic works for more than 60 years. Its theater, the Sarasota Opera House, was built in 1926 and has recently been restored to offer a comfortable modern experience in a beautiful setting. The group's yearly performance schedule includes classics of the genre, perfect for those who are new to opera and want to experience the pillars of the form.
One of its most well-known undertakings was The Verdi Cycle, a 28-year quest to perform the complete works of Giuseppe Verdi. Finally completed in 2015, this massive task had never been taken on before, making the Sarasota Opera the first and only company in the world to do it. In addition to ticket sales and standard contributions, supporters can take part in special events to benefit the many programs offered by the organization.
