Creative City Project (Creative City) is a not-for-profit corporation that strives to cultivate a thriving arts community in Orlando. Creative City will host IMMERSE, a three-day arts festival from February 21-23, 2025. IMMERSE covers ten city blocks in Downtown Orlando and showcases various forms of performing arts. IMMERSE strives to connect people through the arts and anticipates bringing approximately $75,000.00 to Downtown Orlando over the three-day period. The last time IMMERSE took place in Downtown Orlando was in 2021. 

As part of our sponsorship, the DDB and the City of Orlando can assist in bringing thousands of people downtown to showcase both local and global artists, which will help to achieve the DDB’s goal of making Downtown Orlando an arts and culture corridor. In addition, this event will have a positive economic impact on our existing businesses within Downtown Orlando. 

To offset the increased cost of hosting an event of this magnitude, city staff is proposing a tri-party funding agreement between Creative City, the Downtown Development Board (DDB, and the City of Orlando. Under the funding agreement, the DDB will contribute $50,000.00, and the City of Orlando will contribute $250,000.00. Additionally, Orange County has granted Creative City $1,000,000.00 for IMMERSE 2025.

Fiscal impact statement attached.

Approving of the Creative City Project funding agreement and authorizing the Mayor to execute the funding agreement subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney's Office.