In the heart of Downtown Orlando, music, murals, and movement came together in a powerful new way through DTOLive!, a Creative Placemaking pilot program led by United Arts and the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board. Launched, and guided by the Director of Creative Placemaking Audra Fern, DTOLive! transformed everyday spaces into cultural destinations, bringing more than 900 performances, events, and installations directly to the public, all free and open to all ages.
Bringing Art to the People
The numbers are impressive. Of the over 900 free performances and installations that activated downtown Orlando in the pilot year, the program engaged more than 1,000 individual artists. Artists were paid more than $1,000,000 collectively for their work, reinforcing our belief that investing in the arts directly supports a thriving creative economy. With an average audience rating of 4.97 out of 5 stars, and a 95% return rate, DTOLive! didn’t just entertain, it connected.
Audiences flocked to see soul, spoken word, mural painting, ballet, funk, and more, often stepping into a new business or community space for the first time. In fact, 83% of attendees reported visiting local shops or restaurants during or after a DTOLive! event.
Voices from the Stage & the Crowd
Don’t just take it from us, individual artists and residents alike often shared their positive experiences with the program.
“This series of DTOLive! is the crowning achievement of Orlando’s musical performances and not to be missed,” said one downtown resident. Another shared: “As a downtown resident of many years, I couldn’t be more pleased.”
For artists, the impact was just as profound. “Musicians NEVER get treated this well,” one performer said. “DTOLive! is a first-class operation. It enables us to reach at least 10,000 listeners through the night.”
Art that Moves
From interactive installations like No Place Like Home and Big City Birds by Creative City Project, to murals, music and immersive storytelling, DTOLive! made the city a canvas for imagination. A muralist working on the I [Heart] ORL project called it “the most meaningful work I’ve done in public space.”
Third Thursday expansions, powered by Downtown Arts District, spotlighted art forms like spoken word, funk, and multicultural celebration. These expanded nights gave dozens of local artists a platform, and invited hundreds of residents and visitors to see downtown through a new, creative lens. Downtown Arts District also brought us the Vacant to Vibrant series, activating 6 different empty storefronts, 2 of which have since been leased.
As Creative Placemaking looks to the future, the momentum is undeniable.
With over 900 events, hundreds of artists supported, and thousands of residents and visitors reached, this pilot year has proven that the arts don’t just entertain, they also activate our shared public spaces, and fuel our local economy.
This is only the beginning! Whether you’re an artist, visitor, or resident, we want to ensure that there’s always a creative space for you.
