Doctor Phillips Center outlines 10‑year impact, school partnerships and expansion master plan

Kathy Ramsburger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, told the Orange County School Board on April 1 that the center has focused on making the arts “approachable” and deepening partnerships with Orange County Public Schools.

Ramsburger told board members the center’s vision is “arts for every life” and that the nonprofit operates a city‑owned asset funded by private philanthropy. She described capital and operating figures the center uses to frame its community role: the center was built with about $160,000,000 in capital funding donated by private donors and the nonprofit runs the asset “at risk”; the organization’s annual business has grown to about $65,000,000 per year; and the center reports it has returned tens of millions in community engagement and programming support, including cited totals for educational scholarships, community engagement and professional services.

Ramsburger outlined school programs delivered with district partners, including Disney Musicals in Schools, a jazz education program with Jazz at Lincoln Center, teen ambassador internships and Project WOW (school field trips and in‑school arts residencies). She said roughly 376,000 students have participated in programs and that educational programming reaches schools across Orange County.

The center is also pursuing a master plan that Ramsburger said would add multiple new performance and teaching spaces. Ramsburger said the plan could include a 750‑seat theater, studio and classroom spaces and 11 additional rooms; she estimated the buildout could be completed and operational in roughly five years if funding and phasing proceed as planned. The proposal aims to expand capacity for school programs and educational performances.

Board members responded with praise and described the center as an important community and educational partner. Chair Mary Jacobs, speaking by phone, called the center “the heart and soul of Orlando.” Several board members described student access to performances and school programs — Member Ferrant highlighted Disney Musicals in Schools, Member Vanos and Member Gallo noted district partnerships and Member Felder emphasized the center’s intentional outreach to nearby neighborhoods.

General Counsel and other board members also shared personal remarks about programs that have engaged students; several board members described attending events and noted partnerships that send students to the center or bring center staff into schools for programming. Ramsburger said the center seeks donations and philanthropic support to underwrite expanded programming and the proposed capital expansion.

Ramsburger closed by saying the center plans to continue and expand school partnerships and to pursue funding for the master plan. Board members asked follow‑up questions about programming and commended the partnership.