Like the rest of the city, our arts and culture community is undergoing enormous changes at the last minute. While we mourn the closure of the Venue, Blue Star’s former multi-use performance space, we welcome the imminent opening of Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center, an acoustically engineered performance venue that will serve our dancers and classical musicians in the style they deserve. At the same time, we grieve the loss of the Gallery at Avalon Island’s sophisticated curation, but we have high hopes for a refreshed CityArts initiative in its new home in the same building.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-6294, polasek.org
The Czech artist's former residence is now a gallery, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside gardens full of his bronze sculptures.
Art and History Museums – Maitland
231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, 407-539-2181, artandhistory.org
The cultural complex includes the Maitland Art Center (a National Historic Landmark), the Germaine Marvel multi-use space, the Victorian-era Waterhouse Residence, the Telephone Museum and the Carpentry Shop Museum.
Arts on Douglas
123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach, 386-428-1133, artsondouglas.net
The exhibition arm of Atlantic Center for the Arts shows cutting-edge visual works in the heart of this charming beach town.
Atlantic Center for the Arts
1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 386-427-6975, atlanticcenterforthearts.org
The residency program, which draws internationally renowned visual artists, writers and musicians, also offers public exhibits and performances several times per year.
Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum
656 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-8200, casafeliz.us
Winter Park's landmark farmhouse, designed by noted architect James Gamble Rogers in 1932, hosts art, music and talks on historical preservation within its luxurious walls.
Casselberry Art House
127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry, 407-262-7700, casselberry.org
A midcentury residence the city converted to an experimental gallery set in the lovely environs of Lake Concord Park.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-5311, morsemuseum.org
This museum features an astounding collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including a wing dedicated to recreating the essence of Laurelton Hall, Tiffany's Long Island estate.
CityArts
39 S. Magnolia Ave., 407-648-7060, facebook.com/cityartsfactory
The Downtown Arts District is now centered in the Rogers-Kiene Building, the historic green structure formerly home to the Gallery at Avalon Island. The historic building recalls Orlando's past; the monthly-changing exhibits within feature local, national and international artists.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, 407-646-2526, rollins.edu/cfam
Tucked away on the campus of Rollins College, this museum continues to acquire cutting edge works of contemporary art to its Alfond Collection, originally donated by a pair of alumni.
Crealdé School of Art
600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park, 407-671-1886, crealde.org
The school, set in lakeside bungalows with a sculpture garden, is known for creative classes as well as ever-changing gallery shows.
Downtown Arts Collective
643 Lexington Ave., downtownartscollective.com
The new professional photo studio also hosts art shows of all types (not just photography) in its white-box gallery, as well as meetings and workshops for creatives, like a "Guided Meditation for Artists" event.
Faith Arts Village Orlando
221 E. Colonial Drive, 407-222-1231, faithartsvillage.com
Housed in an old motel, FAVO provides individual artists studios and hosts a monthly art market.
Flying Horse Editions
UCF Center for Emerging Media, 407-235-3619, flyinghorse.cah.ucf.edu
University of Central Florida's fine art research facility and nonprofit publisher of limited-edition prints, artist books and multiple-edition art objects is moving two blocks north of its old spot at 500 W. Livingston, as UCF Downtown gears up for its August 2019 opening.
Loud Gallery
1907 N. Orange Ave., 407-985-3191, loudgallery.com
Small, sceney space offers adventurous curation amid the bars and restaurants of Ivanhoe Village.
Hannibal Square Heritage Center
642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-539-2680, hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org
Established in 2007, the gallery presents exhibitions and displays archival photos and historical documents related to the African-American experience in the evolving west Winter Park neighborhood.
Henao Contemporary Center
5601 Edgewater Drive, 407-272-0317, henaocenter.com
Roomy visual arts facility in a lesser-known part of town also hosts music, spoken word, dance and other arts events.
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida
851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, 407-628-0555, holocaustedu.org
The tiny gallery within the Jewish Community Center hosts rotating exhibits that challenge the viewer. By 2022, the center will move to expanded quarters in downtown Orlando.
The Mennello Museum of American Art
900 E. Princeton St., 407-246-4278, mennellomuseum.com
The space is small, but it packs a lot of punch. It's a showcase for works by folk artist Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of traveling exhibitions.
Orange County Regional History Center
65 E. Central Blvd., 407-836-8500, thehistorycenter.org
This storehouse of archived wonders fills its exhibition spaces with traveling exhibitions as well as homegrown collections.
Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-4231, omart.org
Nestled into Loch Haven Park, the newly reinvigorated OMA shows work by major artists as well as homegrown talent.
Snap Space and Snap Downtown
1013 E. Colonial Drive and 420 E. Church St., 407-286-2185, snaporlando.com
Slick photography-centric galleries – one in Mills 50 in the historic Cameo Theatre and one east of downtown in the 420 East building – host the best art parties in town.
The Terrace Gallery
Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., 407-246-4279, cityoforlando.net/arts
This gallery showcases some of the city of Orlando's public art collection, as well as nationally touring and locally curated exhibitions.
Well's Built Museum
511 W. South St., 407-245-7535, wellsbuilt.org
Housed in a historic hotel, Well's Built is a trove of African-American artifacts.
Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, 407-647-3307, facebook.com/zorafestival2019
This little gallery is devoted to African-American history and culture, and features the often-challenging work of contemporary artists of African descent.
THEATERS & PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS
The Abbey
100 S. Eola Drive, 407-704-6103, abbeyorlando.com
A small mixed-use room in an ornate setting – with full bar service – hosts cabaret, comedy, community theater and concerts.
Athens Theatre
124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, 386-736-1500, athensdeland.com
DeLand's restored historic theater hosts a resident community theater group, youth theater and concerts.
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park
1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, 407-646-2182, bachfestivalflorida.org
BFS presents an annual season of classical music, performed by the 160 volunteer members as well as visiting artists.
Bob Carr Theater
401 W. Livingston St., 844-513-2014, drphillipscenter.org
Now operated by the Dr. Phillips Center, this old standby still hosts the Orlando Phil, as well as concerts and comedians.
Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park
419 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-920-4034, breakthroughtheatre.com
Non-Equity community theater features dance, theater and musical events.
Central Florida Community Arts
250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., 407-937-1800, cfcarts.com
This very inclusive musical arts organization believes every artist of every age should have a cultural platform to connect and perform.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S. Magnolia Ave., 844-513-2014, drphillipscenter.org
Big and beautiful, downtown's airy glass-and-steel cultural facility offers various multi-use spaces and theaters hosting touring Broadway productions, comics, dance and local theater.
Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-425-7571, parliamenthouse.com
The legendary gay resort is home to this small theater, which thrills audiences with drag delights and original comedies, musicals and guest productions.
Garden Theatre
160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, 407-877-4736, gardentheatre.org
The lovingly restored historic theater in quaint downtown Winter Garden hosts theater, film and family shows.
The Improv Orlando
9101 International Drive, 407-480-5233, theimprovorlando.com
Touring and local stand-ups, magicians and sketch comedy troupes perform while patrons enjoy dinner and drinks.
Mad Cow Theatre
54 W. Church St., 407-297-8788, madcowtheatre.com
The established and well-regarded professional Mad Cow Theatre features regular stage productions as well as classes, workshops and socials.
Orlando Ballet
445 S. Magnolia Ave., 844-513-2014, orlandoballet.org
Orlando's professional ballet company has settled gracefully into its new home at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
425 N. Bumby Ave., 407-770-0071, orlandophil.org
Wider fare than just classical music keeps the city's only professional orchestra in action: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished guest artists.
Orlando Repertory Theatre
1001 E. Princeton St., 407-896-7365, orlandorep.com
Professional family theater productions have become the domain of Orlando Rep, which also presents shows from its Youth Academy.
Orlando Shakes
Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., 407-447-1700, orlandoshakes.org
One of the top Shakespeare companies in the country, the Shakes produces a regular season in addition to PlayFest, which showcases new works.
SAK Comedy Lab
29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001, sak.com
Good, clean fun is the hallmark of the troupe that specializes in improvisational comedy shows.
Theater on the Edge
5542 Hansel Ave., 407-309-0106, theaterontheedge.org
Repertory theater company makes edgy choices of material and dives deep into the human condition.
Theater West End
115 W. First St., Sanford, 407-548-6285, theaterwestend.com
Professional theater in Sanford's historic downtown stages musicals and repertory plays.
The Winter Park Playhouse
711 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-0145, winterparkplayhouse.org
Cabarets, musicals and holiday fare – this little community theater offers a busy theatrical calendar all year round.
ARTS COMPANIES
Some vital arts groups around town that don't have a fixed address.
Burrow Press
The local publisher hosts release parties and a reading series, Functionally Literate.
Opera Orlando
This rigorous but always fun company stages chamber operas and recitals in collaboration with Orlando Philharmonic and other Florida opera groups.
Phantasmagoria
A Victorian steampunk circus troupe offering "macabre and delicious Halloween treats and tricks."
Playwrights' Round Table
The mission of the group is to find and nurture new playwrights and give a home to new stage works.
Voci Dance
The modern dance company presents theatrical experiences incorporating elaborate set and costume design.
Winter Park Institute
rollins.edu/rollins-winter-park-institute
Lectures, talks, symposiums and interviews with internationally renowned experts on subjects from deep-sea biology to poetry to global politics.
