In the SpotlightUA’s Outreach Director on How Arts Thrive

The conversation centered on United Arts’ 8 Indicators of a Thriving Arts Ecosystem—a framework developed as part of the organization’s 2030 strategic planning process. The indicators were shaped through a two‑year cohort led by the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, bringing together 19 Central Florida arts organizations in a shared learning and planning experience.

Rather than focusing on a single program or outcome, the indicators offer a holistic view of what a healthy, sustainable arts and culture sector looks like—and how arts intersect with education, economic development, health, and quality of life across the region.

The Eight Indicators

During the interview, Jardine outlined each of the eight indicators and how they work together:

1. A Thriving Artistic Community – Ensuring artists of all backgrounds have access to opportunities, resources, and spaces to build sustainable careers in Central Florida.
2. Robust Arts and Culture Organizations – Supporting organizations of all sizes so they are well‑led, financially healthy, and deeply connected to their communities.
3. Engaged and Growing Audiences – Making arts experiences accessible and relevant across generations, zip codes, and income levels.
4. Innovation and Creativity – Creating conditions for experimentation, risk‑taking, and new work across disciplines and technologies.
5. Education and Learning – Providing cradle‑to‑career arts education, from early learning to workforce development and lifelong engagement.
6. A Supportive Environment – Aligning funding, policy, and philanthropy to sustain the sector over time.
7. Strong Infrastructure – Addressing the need for affordable spaces, transportation access, and digital infrastructure.
8. Economic and Social Impact – Recognizing the arts as a driver of jobs, tourism, community vitality, and social connection.

Together, the indicators reinforce a central idea: the arts are not a luxury or add‑on, but a cornerstone of a prosperous, healthy, and connected community.

What Comes Next

As Jardine explained, these indicators are not theoretical. United Arts’ strategic plan, performance metrics, and investments are explicitly mapped to them—guiding grantmaking, advocacy, arts education, cultural tourism, and collaborative marketing efforts across Central Florida.

The framework also aligns with broader regional initiatives, including the Canvas Cultural Plan, Vision 2045, and the Central Florida Foundation’s Thrive Roadmap—creating shared goals and shared responsibility across sectors.

Get Involved

United Arts invites the community to engage in many ways—from volunteering on grant panels to supporting the Collaborative Campaign, which funds dozens of local arts organizations each year.

As Jardine noted in closing, the takeaway is simple but powerful: when the arts thrive, communities thrive.