Blogging for Good: United Arts of Central Florida

I’m on the planning committee and will be helping to emcee the Central Florida Bloggers Conference on September 15th in Orlando, Florida. I’m super excited about it because it’s a chance for hundreds of bloggers and social media all-stars (current or up and coming) to get together and share stories, advice and more. Tickets are on sale now but will go up in price the closer we get to the event so sign up ASAP!

One of the amazing things that we’re doing a this year’s Central Florida Bloggers Conference is a project called “Blogging for Good.”

By “Blogging for Good” we’re uniting together to make a change here locally. You can participate in our “Blogging for Good Program presented by the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center by simply making a choice… a choice to write about something powerful, something beneficial, something right here in Central Florida.

Simply follow these directions to become a “Blogger for Good.” It’s free an easy and you’ll also be in the running to win some awesome prizes like a $100 American Express Gift Card or even an iPad 3!

And, lastly, if you choose, you and your readers can get a raffle ticket for one of six incredible baskets our nonprofits have put together just for this occasion! 100% of the money raised goes directly to the nonprofit of your choice, so, come on and join the movement!

Special thanks to the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center for their support of this program!

I was not what you’d call the “cool kid” in middle and high school, although I wasn’t a total dork, either. I was somewhere in the middle — a not-so-talented jock (on the soccer and swim teams but not a star), a drama nerd (musical theater all four years of high school, baby!), an above average but not wreck-the-curve student.

Of all of the things I tried, I think music and performance were the most important in shaping the person I am today. I played flute for years, learned to be a confident public speaker, discovered the power of having a strong voice and got over (for the most part!) the fear of being in front of a crowd.

That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to share the word that United Arts of Central Florida is doing to support arts and cultural education in schools. Perhaps I never would have grown into my confidence if I’d not been exposed to plays early on (anyone else sing “Pony Express” and “Gloves” in elementary school? “Fifty Nifty?”).

MASSACHUSETTS IS THE BEST…OFFFFFF…THEEEEEEE…

Ahem.

UA:

United Arts of Central Florida is a dynamic collaboration of 164 businesses, 8 governments and school districts, 38 foundations, more than 50 arts and cultural organizations, and 3,188 artists and individuals. This partnership works to enhance the quality and variety of cultural experiences available throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Since its inception in 1989, United Arts has invested more than $117 million in local cultural organizations and cultural education. United Arts envisions a diverse, well-attended, fiscally sound arts and cultural community that serves residents and visitors to the Central Florida region.

Donations to United Arts of Central Florida support more than 50 arts, culture, history and science organizations, nearly 586,000 student experiences in arts education programs and hundreds of artists and arts administrators. Contributed dollars provide more than 2 million cultural experiences to residents and visitors in the Central Florida community. This includes larger arts and cultural organizations that receive general operating support from United Arts and smaller organizations that receive project grant funding. In addition, United Arts provides individual artists grants and arts education through contract service agreements.

Cool organization. Cool projects. Helping raise semi-cool kids like me.