United Arts of Central Florida

08/24/2026

Celebrate with Fito Espínola!

Latin Grammy-nominated Paraguayan artist Fito Espínola is celebrating his birthday the best way he knows how: with an unforgettable night of music.

On September 5, Fito takes the stage at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts for a two-part musical journey—from the intimate, symphonic sounds of Nostálgica: Symphonic Roots to the full-band energy of Luna Gitana.

Expect flamenco, Afro-Paraguayan rhythms, cumbia, merengue, horns, strings, special vocal collaborations and plenty of Fito’s expressive guitar work. 🎶

Saturday, September 5
8 p.m.
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, Winter Park
Tickets & details at ArtsInOrlando.com: https://artsinorlando.com/event/fito-espinolas-birthday-concert/

Come celebrate another trip around the sun with one of Central Florida’s incredible artists! 🥳

08/18/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS: PAID PLEIN AIR PAINTING OPPORTUNITY

United Arts is seeking two visual artists to paint live during our 5th Annual Athletes for Artists Golf Tournament on September 28 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club!

Selected artists will spend the day creating outdoors on the course, surrounded by some beautiful scenery—and will receive $500 for their participation, plus lunch.

Artists will create a canvas piece with a theme of their choice and may take the finished artwork home. You’re also welcome to bring business cards, promotional materials and additional work samples to display.

📅 Application deadline: Wednesday, August 26 at 4 p.m.
🎨 Artists selected: August 28
⛳ Event: September 28, 2026
💵 Artist payment: $500 + box lunch
🖼️ To apply: Submit three work samples

Know a visual artist who would be perfect for this? Tag them or share this opportunity!

Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=j75r2Z1upEW4E88ePpkDN1ZAVJAkKmtDi6FCtW5JbehUNkJFN1RUUDBUOTFKV1ExQ1ZPUjFNMFVYTC4u&route=shorturl

08/18/2026

Election Day is tomorrow, Central Florida!

Polls are open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18.

Find your Election Day polling location through your county Supervisor of Elections:

📍 Orange County: ocfelections.com
📍 Seminole County: voteseminole.gov
📍 Osceola County: voteosceola.gov
📍 Lake County: lakevotes.gov

Every voice is part of our community. 💙

08/17/2026

>>9/13 DEADLINE

08/12/2026

What. A. Day! The TDT Citizens Advisory Taskforce advanced both our requests for TDT ARC as well as Arts & Cultural Affairs to the BCC!

One step left for increasing arts funding in Orange County: the 8/25 BCC meeting and vote! 🤞

08/11/2026

ARTS JOBS: Orlando Shakes is hiring a Senior Director of Development.

This new senior leadership role will oversee contributed revenue strategy, fundraising, donor growth, corporate sponsorships, grants, and development operations while working closely with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate has at least 7 years of nonprofit development leadership experience, a strong fundraising track record, and excellent relationship-building skills.

Salary range: $90,000–$110,000
Full-time, exempt
Primarily in-person
Comprehensive benefits included

Experience in nonprofit theater or the performing arts and knowledge of Central Florida’s philanthropic community are preferred.

Learn more and apply: https://artsinorlando.com/classified/orlando-shakes-senior-director-of-development/

Please share with someone who may be a great fit.

08/11/2026

A powerful opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor the lives impacted by September 11 through art and photography. We encourage our community to experience Beneath A Clear Blue Sky and join in remembrance.

Join us in reflection of September 11 through a memorial exhibition, Beneath A Clear Blue Sky: Photographs of September 11, by photographer David Forrest.

Twenty-five years after one of the most defining days in modern history, the exhibition presents an intimate visual narrative of courage, loss, resilience, and hope through photographs captured as history unfolded in New York City.

You are invited to the opening reception of Beneath A Clear Blue Sky on Friday, August 21 from 5:30–7:30 PM. The exhibition will remain on view in the Alice & William Jenkins Gallery through September 27, 2026.

A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10 AM. Please join us in remembrance while we honor the many lives of those impacted by the events of 9/11.

08/10/2026

A heartfelt thank you to for supporting United Arts’ upcoming golf tournament benefiting artists in Central Florida.

AdventHealth’s commitment to whole-person care reflects what we know to be true: creativity, connection and community are essential to well-being.

We’re grateful for AdventHealth’s support and for helping us make art thrive across Central Florida.

Learn more: https://unitedartscfl.org/golf/

08/06/2026

Two Lake County artists are expanding their creative vision with support from United Arts.

Mount Dora artist and educator Nicora Gangi and Clermont watercolor artist, designer and educator Dawn Viola Mancuso are among 30 Central Florida artists selected to receive $5,000 Individual Artist Grants.

Gangi will create paintings inspired by 10 Lake County waterways, capturing how changing light transforms the landscape at sunrise and sunset. Mancuso will expand watercolor instruction for adults, provide students with supplies to continue creating at home and explore free workshops for local teens.

Selected from more than 100 applicants, these artists are using their talents to help residents slow down, connect and experience creativity in meaningful new ways.

Congratulations, Nicora and Dawn. We’re proud to support your work and the communities it will inspire.

We make art possible.

Read the full story:
https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/triangle_sun/lake-county-artists-receive-grants-to-expand-their-creative-vision/article_75892ea5-55c2-4738-bba4-321423097452.html