Photo: Ricymar Photography
Orlando, not just fantasy but a world of culture - Places to
enjoy arts and culture in Orlando
Orlando is one of the top touristic destinations in the US, filled
with entertainment and tourism options for the entire family; after all this is
the home of Walt Disney World and Universal studios, But there is so much more
that Central Florida has to offer. Orlando is big on the arts and culture. The
community is filled with art entrepreneurs and supporters, and as the city
keeps on growing, the arts and cultural keeps on developing as well.
Here are some of the best options that Orlando can offer the
community, places to enjoy the art and culture of Orlando:
Film
Orlando is pretty big on film, they have multiple colleges
and universities that teach film, from Valencia College that offers a more
technical degree, to Full Sail know for the technology and expensive equipment
they use to teach their students.
Central Florida has the Enzian Theater, a non-profit art
house movie theater where the big film festivals are hosted, like the Florida
Film Festival and the Orlando Film Festival. The atmosphere is way different
comparing to your local movie theater; it has a bar out side surrounded by
trees. Inside, the movie theatergoers sit in around tables where they enjoy
drinks and have dinner. All the films are considered art films, retro, or
independent.
Theater & Performing arts
Orlando, as many of the other big cities, get the Broadway
Across America’s plays where big Broadway shows come to town and play locally,
but it also has multiple community theaters. The community theaters
organizations are very impressive to watch, especially because the level of
quality in there shows are excellent and very exciting to watch, from great art
direction and acting, to even having special effects on stage. Most of local theaters are non-profit
organizations, and a lot of the people are volunteer, but the actors and people
involved have an amazing talent, and there skill level is exceptional, thanks
to the many colleges and universities close by with students trying to gain
experience as interns. You also get a lot of professionals involved in the play
who work at the theme parks, with people of the best knowledge and experience
in show business, all for an average of $20 a ticket.
Some of the best local theaters in town are the Orlando
Shakespeare Theater, The Mad Cow Theater, and The Downtown Theater.
Orlando is also home to the Orlando Ballet, started in 1974
and is one of the most prestigious ballet organizations in the state; and The
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra that plays over 100 performances per year.
Art
There are numerous of art galleries throughout Central
Florida, from museums to art expositions. One of the most notorious museums in
Orlando is the Orlando Museum of Art, who hosts the most prominent exhibitions,
and presents to the public 10 to 12 exhibitions on-site and 13 exhibitions
off-site. The OMA (Orlando Museum of Arts) founded in 1924, has the purpose to
continue the growth of Florida, ardent community support of the arts and as a
leading cultural institution in the region, and it has by enriching the
cultural life of Florida and providing excellence in the visual arts.
Another great place to recommend is the City Arts Factory in
the Downtown Arts District of Orlando; this is the largest collective of art
galleries, which showcases an infusion of international artwork with local
projects.
All through out Central Florida, and many different seasons
through the year, there are multiple different art festivals, some of the most
notorious are the Orlando Art Festival Spring, The Maitland Art Festival Fall,
Uptown Altamonte Art Expo, or the Winter park Sidewalk Art Festival. The
eye-catching art festivals are all unique in their own way, and they showcase the
most prominent emerging artists of Florida and around the globe.
Orlando is a rich place for culture and arts, and this is
just the start for what Orlando has in plan; there no signs of stopping for
“The City Beautiful” and they will keep on growing. Recently, Orlando just
opened the Dr. Phillips Center for the performing arts in Downtown Orlando, which
features a 2,700-seat Broadway theater, a 1,700-seat acoustic hall for ballet,
operas and orchestral performances, and a 300-seat venue for smaller functions.
Another future project that is coming along in Orlando is the Creative Village,
a mixed used architectural project that will featured all the needs to “live,
learn, work, and play.” Orlando is
growing faster in many different directions, from tourism, medical, business,
arts and culture; we will just have to wait and see, how this fast growing city
keeps making a stand and innovate in the world of culture.
By Christian Gabriel, Sensescope Editor
