Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, with Jennifer Evins, CEO of United Arts of Central Florida, discussed the state of the arts in the region during a community forum at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. Part of the Orlando Sentinel’s yearlong 150th anniversary celebration, the forum included performances from Central Florida Community Arts Jazz Trio and Alexandra Kzeski of Opera Orlando. The evening’s event then concluded with Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell, who joined Palm on stage for a candid interview about the arts writer’s experiences covering Orlando’s arts scene, followed by a Q&A with attendees.
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, with Jennifer Evins, CEO of United Arts of Central Florida, discusses the state of the arts in Central Florida during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, with Jennifer Evins, CEO of United Arts of Central Florida, discusses the state of the arts in Central Florida during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Central Florida Community Arts Jazz Trio, made up of Julian Bond on keyboard, Elijah Travis on sax and Joel Hanlon on bass, perform during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026.. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, with Jennifer Evins, CEO of United Arts of Central Florida, discusses the state of the arts in Central Florida during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Alexandra Kzeski of Opera Orlando performs during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Alexandra Kzeski of Opera Orlando performs during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on Orlando’s arts scene at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell brings Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm to the stage to interview him about his experiences covering Orlando’s arts scene during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on the state of the arts in Central Florida at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, right, answers questions from Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on the state of the arts in Central Florida at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm, right, answers questions from Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell during the Orlando Sentinel 150th anniversary celebration forum on the state of the arts in Central Florida at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm answers questions from audience members during the community forum on the state of the arts in Central Florida at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell, left, and arts writer Matthew J. Palm answer questions from the audience during a community forum on the state of the arts in Central Florida at Orlando Family Stage on Monday, April 27, 2026. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)