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About Us» Mission & History

The mission of United Arts of Central Florida is to enhance the quality and variety of cultural experiences in Central Florida. As part of its function, United Arts solicits funds each year in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties to assist cultural nonprofit organizations. With its inception in 1989, United Arts introduced collaborative arts fundraising in Central Florida and has raised in excess of $112 million.

In 1988, the City of Orlando commissioned a series of Cultural Needs Assessments to examine the Greater Orlando market, existing arts institutions, facilities, and the arts consumer. These studies led to the formation of United Arts of Central Florida to serve as the fundraising organization for the area’s major cultural groups.

Also vital at that time was the creation of the Arts Services Council (ASC). An affiliate of United Arts, the ASC was a separate corporation and for five years they operated independently. Subsequently, it became apparent that a merger of the two would far better serve the needs of local cultural groups. The organizations merged in early 1997 and the following May the Orange County Board of County Commissioners formally designated United Arts of Central Florida as the local arts agency.

United Arts has strengthened the cultural community through creative partnerships in marketing and public awareness. United Arts envisions a diverse, well-attended, fiscally sound arts and cultural community that services the increasing number of residents and visitors to the Central Florida region.