Over 30 Year Commitment to Creativity: Disney’s Investment in the Arts
For more than three decades, Disney has played a meaningful role in strengthening Central Florida’s arts and culture community, contributing more than $3 million to United Arts of Central Florida to support artists, nonprofit organizations, arts education programs, and community initiatives that help creativity thrive across our region. That commitment was celebrated in a special […]
DTOLive! Chalk Art Festival Transforms Downtown
ORLANDO, Fla. – Downtown Orlando transformed into an open-air canvas as artists gathered for the annual Chalk Festival, presented as part of DTO Live!, an initiative of the City of Orlando and United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts). The free, public event invited residents and visitors to experience large-scale chalk art created live on city […]
Arts & Culture Leaders Gather to Shape the Future of Central Florida’s Creative Economy
ORLANDO, Fla. –(January 23, 2026) – Arts, culture, history, and science leaders from across Central Florida gathered for a high-level convening hosted by the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, the DeVos Family Foundation, and United Arts of Central Florida, marking the culmination of a two-year strategic planning and leadership accelerator. The initiative focused […]
Finding the Courage to Go All In: Damon DeWitt’s DREAM TEAM
For Orlando-based interdisciplinary artist Damon DeWitt, the desire to create never disappeared—but there was a moment when it felt out of reach. Burnout crept in. Life responsibilities piled up. And the question surfaced quietly but persistently: Is art still possible? “I was just in that moment where I felt like maybe art’s not for me,” […]
10 Moments That Defined United Arts in 2025
As we look back on 2025, one thing is clear: when art thrives, our community thrives. This year, United Arts of Central Florida advanced its mission in powerful ways—strengthening artists and organizations, expanding access to creativity, and demonstrating the essential role of arts, science, and history in our region’s well-being. From national recognition to innovative […]
United Arts Launches Early Learning Through the Arts Pilot with Support from KPMG
ORLANDO, Fla. – (July 26, 2025) – United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts) successfully piloted an Early Learning through the Arts professional development workshop for early childhood educators, made possible through a $5,000 gift from KPMG. The half-day Wolf Trap–based workshop supported educators serving children and families in the 32805 community, strengthening early learning […]
UA President on What Makes a Thriving Arts Ecosystem
In a new interview on Perspectives with Beth Perrell, United Arts President & CEO Jennifer Evins shares why building a truly thriving arts ecosystem requires collaboration, strategic investment, and support from the entire community. Jennifer highlights United Arts’ refined mission—to strengthen arts, science, history, and culture across all four counties—and explains how the organization now […]
United Arts Honored for Innovation & Excellence in Fundraising
ORLANDO, Fla. – (November 2025) – United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts) is proud to announce that it has been selected as an Innovation & Excellence in Fundraising Honoree at this year’s National Philanthropy Day Awards held at at Rosen Shingle Creek and hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Central Florida Chapter. […]
Page 15 — Where Stories Begin
For Julia Young, founder and executive director of Page 15, inspiration starts somewhere around page fifteen.“My grandmother always said you have to read to page fifteen before giving up on a book,” Julia said. “When you stay in someone’s story just a little bit longer, that’s when the world opens up.” That belief—to stay curious […]