Duke Energy used money it had donated toward ArtsFest to support new grants pushing for more culturally diverse events. “We’re not a programming agency.”Īnd the changes benefited other initiatives, she pointed out. “First and foremost, United Arts is a funding agency,” she said. Garcia said the expense couldn’t be justified. Some were dismayed when Garcia ended two high-profile events: a fall gala known as the Red Chair Affair and a festival of free performances across the region called ArtsFest. Sometimes, new approaches ruffled feathers - such as when United Arts began charging a 7 percent administrative fee for running the region’s largest cultural fundraising campaign. She’s always looking at a different approach.” “One of her strengths is not being complacent. “She has always been very creative at looking for solutions,” Hartley said. Hartley said the agreement reflected Garcia’s skills. In her first year on the job, Flora Maria Garcia oversaw a whirlwind of change, including cancellation of the public ArtsFest, changes in the way grants are handed out, and a new approach toward the annual fundraising campaign. “Groups have been able to strengthen their artistic product and their management,” she said. And United Arts is now a funder of the growing Opera Orlando, the professional successor to those hard-working volunteers.

This month, for example, she attended the grand opening of the ballet’s new state-of-the-art building. “We’ve seen a huge evolution in the arts” since, said Garcia. The future of opera was uncertain as a group of volunteers presented events after the collapse of Orlando Opera. Orlando Ballet was soon to find itself homeless after a mold infestation in its rented space. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts had not yet opened a single theater. Arts groups were still digging their way out of economic recession. “I feel good, and it seems like a good time for me to exit,” said Garcia, who has been president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida since the spring of 2012.Īlthough less than a decade ago, Central Florida had a very different cultural landscape then. After nearly eight years at the helm of the region’s largest cultural-advocacy organization, Flora Maria Garcia will retire on Jan.

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