The oldest performing arts organization in Florida is located in Miami: Florida Grand Opera (FGO). We sat down with it’s CEO to talk about the history and how it’s partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County creates experiences for opera enthusiasts of all ages. The FGO performs on several stages, but call the Arsht Center home. Because of this, the groups share staff members, plus whatever they can dream up creatively, they have a space to pull it off. The FGO is proud of its impact economically in the area. Susan Davis, the CEO, told us they employ a large number of stagehands, choristers, and up to 60 orchestra members. It’s important to them to be good stewards to the communities they serve. One of the yearly initiatives Davis started, “Made for Miami” focuses on serving the diversity of South Florida. With everything the group offers, it’s no surprise they are often referred to as The Met of the South.
The Arsht Center provides a venue for the FGO and it’s also the home for the Miami City Ballet. It offers spaces for a variety of artists including those who may not fall into the category of the performing arts. All around the building, inside and out, you can find public art installations. It’s in the floor patterns, the lobbies, and even the curtains. The lobbies also have rotating art exhibitions. If you’re interested in checking it out, they offer free public tours on Mondays and Saturdays at noon.
For more on the partnership between the Florida Grand Opera and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County watch this video below:
To learn more about the Florida Grand Opera, visit their website here.
Photo captions: