WHERE THE WORLD PERFORMS
Growing from 9 to 20 venues to welcome 1.5 million guests annually and offer 1,000 free programs each year.
Since opening in 2014, we've proven that world-class arts can thrive in Orlando. Operating at up to 97% capacity with year-round programming, we're not expanding on speculation—we're meeting proven demand.
Time is now to grow our campus so we can do more, impact me, accomplish more xxx.
Recognized with dual IAVM Venue Excellence Awards (2018, 2023) and honored by Travel + Leisure as one of "25 New Tourist Attractions Worth Adding to Your Bucket List," Our Master Plan builds on this extraordinary, award-winning success.
Our Master Plan enhances these exceptional experiences—creating more stages for excellence, more intimate spaces, and more opportunities for both internationally acclaimed artists and emerging local talent to share their gifts with our community.
Operating at Capacity:
- Venues operate year-round at up to 97% capacity - demand clearly outpacing supply
- Year-round programming 97-99% of the year
- Consistently turning people away
- 775,000 current attendees ready to grow to 1.5 million
BUILDING ON OVER A DECADE OF PROVEN SUCCESS
11 Years of Excellence. Ready for More.
From Grammy winners to global icons, the world's most celebrated artists have experienced what makes the Dr. Phillips Center extraordinary. Their words validate what our community already knows—we've built something truly special. World-class artists choose to perform here. Industry leaders recognize our operational excellence. National media celebrates our cultural significance.
STEINMETZ HALL - WORLD-RENOWNED ACOUSTICS
"I have performed in The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, and I think this is the most beautiful and incredible theater I've ever seen."
— Michael Feinstein
WALT DISNEY THEATER
JUDSON'S LIVE - AN INTIMATE MASTERPIECE
"This club is a model for what a jazz club should be. The whole setup is beautiful: the lighting, the food, how they treat musicians, the sound system, the location—it's perfection."
— Sammy Figueroa, Grammy Nominee and Legendary Studio Musician
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR MASTER PLAN
4 Key Components
Our Master Plan grows from 910,000 to 1.5 million guests annually, increasing the economic ripple effect. Include that we are asking for Orange County TDT funding, in addition to private philanthropy to fulfil the need for this expansion.
Strategic Alignment
Directly aligned with Orange County’s CANVAS Cultural Plan, which identifies additional performance venues and cultural infrastructure as both economic and community priorities — and specifically designates arts and cultural tourism as a high-value economic driver
The Master Plan will be funded by several sources
Tourism Development Tax (TDT) – Public Investment
- Builds tourism infrastructure including venues, parking, and public spaces
- Funds capital improvements that attract visitors and generate economic activity
- Creates the physical stages and facilities
Private Philanthropy – Your Investment
- Brings venues to life with programming and performances
- Funds the 1,000 free programs annually
- Supports educational initiatives and community access
- Endows operations to ensure sustainability
- Creates the mission-driven impact that changes lives
Other Public/Grant Funding
- State arts grants
- Federal funding opportunities
- Additional public sources
What's At Stake
Future Vision & Growth
With venues operating year-round at up to 97% capacity, independent economic validation, award-winning operations recognized nationally, and community support from 24,085+ donors, our Master Plan responds to a proven demand with a smart investment that benefits our entire region. demand clearly outpacing supply. Year-round programming 97-99% of the year. Consistently turning people away. 910,100 current attendees ready to grow to 1.5 million….
With Master Plan:
- 80% more students served
- 1.5 million guests welcomed annually
- 1,000 free programs each year
- Economic impact multiplied throughout the region
- Orlando positioned as world-class cultural destination
Without Master Plan:
- Continued turning away students who want programs
- Families unable to get tickets to sold-out shows
- Organizations unable to rent needed spaces
- Missing economic opportunities as demand exceeds capacity
- Falling behind competitive cultural destinations
How can I help make the Master Plan happen? Support/Get Involved
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Arts for Every Life® — Transforming Lives Through Education and Access
At the heart of our Master Plan is our commitment to accessibility, education, and community connection. For over a decade, we've proven that when you give young people access to the arts, you don't just teach them to perform—you build their confidence, unlock their potential, and change the trajectory of their lives. Our Master Plan will create dedicated learning spaces where students can discover their voices, build lifelong skills, and dream bigger than they ever thought possible. Our programs serve students from all Orange County districts and beyond. Our Master Plan expands our reach, bringing arts education directly to underserved communities through outreach programs and partnerships.
A Pipeline to Broadway
Our Applause Awards program has become a proven pathway from Central Florida stages to Broadway lights:
By the Numbers:
- $251,500+ in scholarships awarded
- 14 Jimmy Awards nominees
- 5 alumni performing on Broadway
- 600+ winners honored across 37 schools in 10 counties
- 400+ participants in 2025 (highest ever)
What Our Master Plan Means for Students
New Creative Studios
Dedicated spaces designed specifically for young learners—where 8-year-olds can experience the magic of walking out on stage and 15-year-olds can train like professionals.
80% More Students Served
Expanding capacity means we can say "yes" to 80% more students who want to discover their creative voices—students who might otherwise never have access to professional-level arts education.
Pathways from Student to Professional
Like Julian, who went from our Quarter Notes program to performing as Young Simba on a national tour, Master Plan creates clear pathways for students to pursue professional careers in the arts.
Our Master Plan multiplies these transformative experiences, ensuring every child in Orange County—has access to high-quality arts education.
1,000 Free Programs Annually
Our Master Plan ensures that cost is never a barrier. From summer camps to year-round classes, outdoor amphitheater performances to workshops, we're committed to making arts education accessible to every family, regardless of ability to pay.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions Answered
What exactly is Master Plan?
Master Plan will add 11 new venues, growing from 9 to 20 total spaces, plus enhancements to 4 existing areas. New additions include a 750-seat theater, outdoor amphitheater, creative and engagement studios, rooftop terrace event space, and expanded food service and parking. We'll also enhance beloved spaces like the Walt Disney Theater and front-of-house areas. This master plan addresses the incredible demand we've experienced—we currently operate at up to 97% capacity with 910,000 annual attendees—allowing us to welcome 1.5 million guests annually and offer 1,000 free programs each year. Master Plan directly advances our five-year strategic plan for growing events, education, and arts & wellness.
Why does Dr. Phillips Center need to expand?
We operate at up to 97% capacity with year-round programming 97-99% of the year. We welcome 910,000 people annually, but we're consistently turning people away—students who want programs, families who want tickets, organizations who want to rent spaces. An independent Tourism Economics study validates our success: $227.6 million in annual economic impact, 2,483 jobs supported, $13.2 million in state and local taxes generated. Combined with our IAVM Venue Excellence Awards (2023, 2018) and community recognition as Orlando's Best Theater for 7 consecutive years, Master Plan isn't speculative—it's meeting proven demand and expanding what works.
When will the Master Plan be completed?
The timeline depends on securing Tourism Development Tax (TDT) funding. The County will announce the TDT process in June 2026, with TDT Citizen Task Force presentations in July and final Orange County Board of County Commission decision in August 2026. If TDT funding is secured in August 2026, we will provide updates as the timeline becomes clearer.
How much will the Master Plan cost?
The total Master Plan investment is estimated at approximately $[X] million. The funding plan includes:
- Tourism Development Tax (TDT) funding: For tourism infrastructure including venues, parking, and public spaces
- Private philanthropy: For programming spaces, educational facilities, endowment, and operations
- Other public/grant funding: From state arts grants, federal funding, and other public sources
The independent Tourism Economics study shows our current $227.6 million annual economic impact will grow proportionally with expansion, making this a sound investment with measurable returns.
What new venues and spaces will Master Plan include?
New Performance Spaces:
- 750-seat theater for world-class performances
- Outdoor amphitheater for unique entertainment experiences
- Additional performance venues for diverse programming
New Learning Spaces:
- Creative studios for educational programs
- Engagement studios for community programs and workshops
New Community Spaces:
- Rooftop terrace event space with downtown Orlando views
- Steinmetz Hall and Judson's Live exterior expansion with music listening venue
- Expanded gathering spaces and lobbies
Enhanced Services:
- Enhanced food and beverage facilities including cafe and fast casual dining
- Expanded parking to improve accessibility
- Walt Disney Theater improvements
- Upgraded donor spaces
- Enhanced front-of-house experience
- Improved north corridor accessibility
What is Tourism Development Tax (TDT) funding and why are you seeking it?
Tourism Development Tax (TDT) is a tax on hotel stays specifically designed to fund tourism infrastructure that attracts visitors and generates economic activity. It's commonly called "bed tax" or "tourist tax."
We're seeking TDT funding because:
- We're a proven tourism driver: Independent Tourism Economics study shows 175,000 visitors (25% of our 775,000 annual attendees) travel from outside the region specifically for DPC events
- We generate measurable tourism impact: Visitors spend $73.1 million at off-site businesses—$28.2 million at restaurants, $12.9 million at hotels, $13.1 million in retail
- We deliver TDT returns: We generate $13.2 million annually in state and local taxes, including significant hotel tax revenue
- TDT is designed for projects like this: Tourism infrastructure that attracts visitors, extends stays, and generates economic activity
Our Master Plan grows proven tourism success, making it an ideal TDT investment.
If you get TDT funding, will you still need private donations?
Absolutely—now more than ever! TDT funding and private philanthropy play complementary but distinct roles:
TDT Funding (Public Investment):
- Builds the physical infrastructure: venues, parking, technical systems
- Funds tourism-related capital improvements
- Creates the stages and spaces
Private Philanthropy (Your Investment):
- Brings venues to life with programming and performances
- Funds the 1,000 free programs annually
- Supports educational initiatives and community access (like our Applause Awards that have awarded $251,500+ in scholarships)
- Endows operations to ensure sustainability
- Creates the mission-driven impact that changes lives
Think of it this way: TDT builds the theater; your donations fund the performance that fills it. Public investment creates the infrastructure; private philanthropy funds the heart and soul of what we do. Master Plan creates new opportunities for philanthropic impact, not fewer.
How do we know Master Plan will generate the economic impact you're claiming?
We commissioned an independent study by Tourism Economics, a subsidiary of Oxford Economics, using rigorous IMPLAN economic modeling. This isn't us making claims—it's a credible third-party validating our impact.
Current Proven Impact (FY 2024/2025):
$227.6 million total economic impact
2,483 jobs supported
$70.8 million in labor income
$13.2 million in state and local taxes
$73.1 million in off-site visitor spending
The Methodology: Tourism Economics tracked actual operational spending ($66.3 million) and visitor spending ($73.1 million), then used industry-standard economic modeling to calculate multiplier effects throughout the economy.
Master Plan Projection: With capacity expanding from 910,000 to 1.5 million guests, the economic impact will grow proportionally. This is conservative modeling based on 10 years of proven, award-winning performance.
How will the Master Plan make the arts more accessible?
Master Plan prioritizes accessibility in multiple ways:
Financial Accessibility:
1,000 free programs annually ensuring cost is never a barrier
Continued scholarship opportunities (we've already awarded $251,500+ through Applause Awards)
Free outdoor amphitheater performances
Geographic Accessibility:
Expanded parking for easier access
Improved north corridor connectivity
Programming that reaches all Orange County districts
Educational Accessibility:
80% increase in students served
New creative and engagement studios designed for hands-on learning
Dedicated spaces for students from all backgrounds
Programming Accessibility:
20 venues means more variety—something for everyone
Outdoor amphitheater provides casual, welcoming entry point
Enhanced food service and gathering spaces create comfortable, inclusive environment