Central Florida Arts Leaders Represent Culture Nationally

News Summary

Central Florida arts leaders, Thamara Bejarano and Jeffrey Revels, have showcased the region’s vibrant cultural diversity at national events. Bejarano represented Southern arts at the ISPA congress, advocating for arts funding and sharing best practices. Revels discussed innovative family-oriented programming at BroadwayCon, emphasizing the need for new works. Additionally, Stacie Perez highlighted educational partnerships at the Kennedy Center, while local projects aim to engage communities through art, strengthening the region’s cultural landscape.

Central Florida Arts Leaders Shine Bright on National Stage

Orlando is buzzing with excitement as local arts leaders take the spotlight at national events, showing off the vibrant cultural scene that Central Florida has to offer. Recently, arts enthusiasts gathered in New York City where two prominent figures from the region made impressive strides in representing the area’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry.

Bringing Southern Charm to the Big Apple

Thamara Bejarano, the executive director of Open Scene, spoke passionately at the New York Congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) this past January, captivating hundreds of delegates who gathered to discuss and celebrate the arts. Alongside her, Jeffrey Revels, the artistic director of Orlando Family Stage, joined the fun as a panelist at BroadwayCon in February. These events not only allowed them to network with fellow artists but also helped draw attention to the cultural diversity that Central Florida embodies.

Making Waves with Diversity

Representing Central Florida’s cultural diversity is a cause close to Bejarano’s heart, especially since she founded Open Scene back in 2019. This organization presents a Latin American performing arts festival and creates multicultural programming that celebrates a variety of cultures. At the ISPA congress, she delivered a Southern United States Regional Update, sharing valuable insights on how Southern arts organizations tackle their challenges while promoting inclusive perspectives.

There is a pressing need for increased investment in the arts, and Bejarano raised awareness regarding the stark contrast in public funding for the arts in the U.S. compared to other countries. She didn’t stop there and even gathered data to help local cultural organizations discern best practices employed in other regions, mentioning the fantastic developments seen in places like Taiwan and Australia.

Family Fun and New Works in the Spotlight

Meanwhile, at BroadwayCon, Jeffrey Revels discussed how Orlando Family Stage is committed to creating engaging family-oriented entertainment while outlining the particular challenges faced in programming. Revels emphasized the importance of developing new works outside of the New York theater scene. With a wealth of local talent concentrated in the area, Orlando Family Stage has been active in commissioning new plays that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Central Florida has immense potential to become a hub for workshopping and premiering new productions due to its thriving theater community. Revels believes that spotlighting this talent can bring fresh ideas to the forefront and push the boundaries of family-oriented entertainment.

Innovative Educational Partnerships

Stacie Perez from Orlando Family Stage made an impactful presentation at the Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program. She highlighted a transformative partnership with Orange County Public Schools, which serves as a beacon for incorporating arts into educational systems. The annual meeting drew almost 100 arts organizations from over 40 states, all eager to discuss methods to integrate arts more effectively into curriculums.

Looking ahead, Orlando Family Stage leaders are set to present at the Theater for Young Audiences USA National Festival in May. Their focus will be on mental wellness for teens through theater, a crucial initiative that demonstrates the power of art in fostering well-being among young individuals.

Strengthening Ties and Advocating for the Arts

Additionally, Bejarano is spearheading a project with the National Alliance of Latino Theater Festivals, aiming to create a network that supports Latino theater troupes in their touring efforts and exchanges. This initiative comes at a time when advocacy for arts funding in Florida is more critical than ever, especially following significant cuts to arts budgets by state leadership last year.

The current budget proposal includes $27 million for cultural and museum grants, along with efforts to reform grant language to ensure inclusivity across multiple age groups, a much-needed step for the arts community.

Community Engagement through Art

To further enrich the arts scene, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer recently announced a fantastic opportunity for local artists to get involved in the “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” project, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. This collaboration between the city and various nonprofits will select up to 20 local artists to create public art displays addressing the pressing issue of food justice. These artists will actively contribute to addressing community food insecurity through their creative works.

As arts leaders continue to shine a spotlight on Central Florida, the region is poised for even greater recognition and growth. With passionate individuals advocating for cultural vitality, the future looks bright for arts in Orlando!

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Additional Resources

• Watermark Online: Central Florida Poet Quincy is Helping to Build Community Through Artistry
• Wikipedia: Performing Arts
• Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Arts Leaders Shine Bright on National Stage
• Google Search: arts funding Florida
• My News 13: Local Group Hits Tallahassee to Get More Funding for the Arts
• Google Scholar: arts education initiatives
• Orlando Weekly: Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band Romps Through Hits of Stage and Screen
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Development
• WFTV: City of Orlando Invites Central Florida’s Artists and Creators