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Art and Culture in Bay CountyThe beaches of Bay County are world-famous, but the sophistication of the area surprises some visitors and many new residents. Panama City was recently named " Number 6 " of the "100 Best Small Art Towns in America" (John Villani, Muit Press, 1997). The scenic downtown area borders on St. Andrew Bay and hosts a wide variety of local treasures including the Visual Arts Center, The Martin Theater, McKenzie Park and the Marina Civic Center. Nestled among numerous art galleries, shops, restaurants and historic sites, residents and visitors alike are often challenged to choose between an assortment of cultural venues and events. But the arts in Bay County are not limited to just one area. Cultural resources and activities can be found throughout the county that borders the Emerald Coast. The residents of Bay County value cultural opportunities and support a variety of arts organizations and annual events. The numerous theater groups, ballet companies, orchestras, festivals and museums that consider Bay County their home make evident the community's commitment to artistic diversity. The excellence of the Arts is also apparent in the variety of concerts, shows and art exhibits that travel to the area annually. The premium quality of these events is considered to be equivalent, if not better, than similar efforts in larger urban areas. The wealth of culture available to the people of Bay County blends with an old-fashioned work ethic to bring an energy and enthusiasm to the workplace that is a key ingredient of business success. Bay Arts Alliance: Since 1978, Bay Arts Alliance has served as the local arts agency for Bay County. Located on Harrison Avenue in the downtown Marina Civic Center, its mission is to provide opportunities for cultural enrichment through broad-based educational experiences and quality performances. Bay Arts Alliance has brought national touring performances to the area, including Bill Cosby, Stomp, Sinbad, CATS, and Broadway on Ice, just to name a few. In addition, Bay Arts Alliance has been the primary force behind the annual Concerts in the Park series at McKenzie Park. The Arts in Education programs provide many cultural opportunities for Bay County schools and non-profit organizations at no charge. Annually, over 10,000 children have the opportunity to enrich their appreciation of the arts by attending a variety of performances given by national touring companies at the Marina Civic Center. Bay Arts Alliance hosts the Very Special Arts Festival for exceptional children. Bay Arts Alliance continually works to develop partnerships with local businesses and other arts organizations. These partnerships allow Bay Arts Alliance to utilize all available resources in creating new Arts-in-Education programs as part of their ongoing commitment to expose the youth of Bay County to the Arts. Panama City Music Association: 
The Panama City Music Association has since 1941 presented an annual series of
five concerts which are balanced with classical and popular offerings. The goal
of the non-funded, volunteer organization has always been to provide excellent
entertainment at affordable prices. The concerts are sold by season subscription
only and are presented at the Marina Civic Center to sold-out audiences. A
sprinkling of the artists who have performed throughout the years would be
Arthur Fieldler conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra, from St. Petersburg,
Russia the State Symphony Orchestra and the State Ice Ballet, Marvin Hamlisch,
Peter Nero, Burl Ives, The Miami City Ballet, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat, Smokey Joe's Café, and ethnic groups such as Andes Manta from South
Africa. For more information, contact Joyce Harrison at 236-1260 or
234-1197.Visit their website at www.panamacitymusicassoc.org Visual Arts Center: 
The Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, located in the heart of downtown
Panama City, occupies the old City Hall, jail, fire and police station, and is
one of the oldest structures in the city (Est.1925). Renovated in 1987, the
Center reflects the collective efforts of the artists and citizens of Bay County
to bring a quality cultural facility to the area. Its mission is to "foster the
excellence, diversity, and vitality of the visual arts through education and
exhibitions and to serve as a source of information about the arts, activities
and events in Northwest Florida." With museum quality exhibit space and
studio classrooms, the Visual Arts Center provides the perfect venue for
national, local and traveling art exhibitions, adult and children's art classes,
art appreciation lectures, seminars, and workshops. The Impressions Gallery, a
hands-on children's gallery, provides a unique art experience for young
visitors. The Visual Arts Center collaborates often with other arts
organizations and area businesses to create community-wide events that foster
the appreciation of the arts. The Center has partnered with the Bay District
Schools to bring visual arts education to underprivileged children through the
Art=Smart program.For more information about art exhibit schedules, events and classes, visit the new VAC website at www.vac.org.cn The Martin Theatre: 
Built in 1936, the Historic Martin Theatre was originally called "The
Ritz". During the "Movie Palace" era, the theatre hosted movies,
vaudeville and talent shows and so was equipped with a small stage and two small
dressing rooms, as well as a movie screen. In the late 1950's, the
"Ritz" became the "Martin Theatre" and was extensively
redecorated. In November of 1990, it was returned to its art deco glory,
renovated, rejuvenated, and readied to serve the community. The Martin Theatre
Ensemble Program was created in 1994 to establish a permanent professional
theatre company in Northwest Florida. Recent productions have included The
Importance of Being Earnest, The Foreigner, Noises Off, A Raisin in the Sun,
Crimes of the Heart, Guys and Dolls, and The Glass Menagerie.Visit their website at www.martintheatre.com Kaleidoscope Theatre: 
Located in Lynn Haven just minutes from Panama City Beach. This thriving theater
company is currently presenting its 28th season of productions. Current
productions include: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Amadeus, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Murder Room and Dearly Departed. Lighting
and sound equipment were recently upgraded to enhance the performances and give
audiences an exciting theatrical experience. The Educational Outreach program
continues to grow and become more successful each season. Thus far, over 400
children from under-served areas have had the opportunity to see shows, meet the
actors, and learn more about the theater. Study guides are provided for these
special children attending the productions offered during the Kaleidoscope
Theater season.Visit Kaleidoscope Theatre on-line at www.kt-online.org The Panama City POPS Orchestra: 
Formerly the Orchestra of St. Andrew Bay, The Panama City POPS Orchestra is a non-profit organization
and Bay County’s very own POPS orchestra. This season, under the baton of Maestro Eddie
Rackley, ‘The POPS’ will present four concerts for their subscription series; three of which will be at Gulf Coast
Community College's Amelia G. Tapper Center for the Arts and a fourth at Arnold High School near the Beach.
Each concert will offer a wide variety of musical styles, from classical to Broadway and film scores to current
hits, all designed to reach the younger audience while still entertaining the adults. Founded in 1996 by
Elaine Matson and Michael Reisman, the orchestra was established as a community orchestra in order to
provide an opportunity for local musicians to perform orchestral music and bring this music to Bay County.
Members of the Orchestra come from all walks of life including education, medicine, and youth services but all
have one driving force in common--a love of making music. One of the unique components of The POPS is
their mentoring program which encourages emerging artists a chance to hone their abilities by partnering with
experienced musicians from the orchestra.Visit their website at www.panamacitypops.org or call 850-785-POPS (7677) for further information. Gulf Coast Community College Visual and Performing Arts Division: 
Visual arts, dance, music and the theater arts are plentiful at GCCC! Theirs is a statewide
award-winning program. College-level classes and professional quality art shows,
concerts and theatrical productions abound. Scholarships are available.
Participation in performing groups and auditions for plays and musicals are open
to the general public. Performing groups include: GCCC Concert Choir,
Masterworks Chorale, Singing Commodores, and Concert Band. Participation is open
to students and the general public. Their productions have included All in the
Timing, Forty Years of Musicals at Gulf Coast, Shakespeare's Much Ado About
Nothing, Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, and Company. All of the productions
were rated Superior with many of the participants being nominated for the Irene
Ryan Scholarship National Acting Competition. The Amelia G. Tapper Center for
the Arts has undergone a major facility upgrade and now boasts state-of-the-art
sound, lighting, and rigging. Contact the division for information
at 850-872-3886.Junior Museum of Bay County: 
A short drive from Panama City Beach is an educational and hands-on museum for
young visitors. Here, they can see, feel, hear and participate in science, art
and nature through exhibits, concerts, puppet shows, festivals, classes and
traveling displays. Small visitors can play Indian games and explore a
life-sized tepee in the children's room. Chickens and ducks wait to be fed at a
pioneer village complete with a homestead and barn. A nature trail twists
through three environments common to Northwest Florida, a hardwood swamp, a pine
island and a hardwood hammock.Visit their website at www.jrmuseum.org Gulf Jazz Society: The Society's primary purpose is to preserve, encourage and advance jazz in all styles. The organization seeks to assure continuity of this music by supporting educational programs for youth and adults; by providing performance opportunities for jazz musicians; by producing festivals, concerts and joint ventures with allied cultural organizations and by developing public relations campaigns. Gulf Jazz Society P.O. Box 1535 Panama City, FL 32401 For more info, visit their website at www.gulfjazzsociety.com Bay County Public Library: Bay County Public Library and its branches in Panama City Beach, Parker and Springfield, provide traditional and electronic services to the diverse population of the community. The library is dedicated to improving the quality of life of its users by supporting lifelong learning and recreational library use. Programs which are free and open to the public are presented frequently, including local author book signings, special events in the Youth department, and Local History events. Books Alive, with sessions presented by nationally known writers, is presented annually in January. Headquarters: Bay County Public Library 25 W. Government Street P.O. Box 59625 Panama City, Fl 32412-0625 Membership Requirements: Membership open to all residents of Bay County Phone: 850-872-7500 Web address: www.nwrls.com Bay District Schools: The Bay District School System is a nationally acclaimed, award winning school district that encourages students to be the best they can be. With an encouraging and professional faculty and a caring and dedicated administration, the district strives to graduate students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead productive and rewarding lives. The school district is the 21st largest in Florida, with an enrollment of approximately 26,500 students. James McAlister - Superintendent Bay District Schools 1311 Balboa Ave Panama City, FL 32401 850-872-4100 www.bay.k12.fl.us Panama City Artists: The Panama City Artists (PCA) is a group of artists based in the Panama City/Bay County region who have pooled their talents and resources to enrich themselves and their community. Founded in 2002, this organization boasts a membership of 90+ members, comprised of professionals artists, teachers, hobbyists, enthusiasts and patrons. They offer many benefits to their members including: exhibits, networking, programs, demonstrations and workshops. Their website is www.panamacityartists.net and their e-mail address is info@panamacityartists.net. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Please call (850) 747-0363 for location. If you would like your organization listed here, please contact us! |
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