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 of Central Florida, in partnership with the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board (DDB), Creative City Project, and the Downtown Arts District. Launched and guided by the Director of Creative Placemaking Audra Fern, DTOLive transformed everyday spaces into cultural destinations, bringing more than 950 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 950 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 became the art beat of downtown!
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 who curated six projects during the yearlong initiative, including 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.”
The expansion of 12 Third Thursday’s, powered by Downtown Arts District, spotlighted art forms like spoken word, funk, and multicultural celebration along with a local art market and extended hours at the Orange County Regional History Center. 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 six different empty storefronts, two of which have since been leased.
As Creative Placemaking looks to the future, the momentum is undeniable.
With over 950 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.
