Creative City Project

What Creative City Project does

Creative City Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2012 by Cole NeSmith and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The organization's mission is to cultivate a thriving arts community in Orlando by producing large-scale, free public arts programming that makes world-class artistic experiences accessible to the Central Florida community. Its flagship event, the annual IMMERSE festival, activates multiple blocks of Downtown Orlando with hundreds of performances and installations spanning music, dance, visual art, theater, and interactive experiences, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each year and featuring over 100 participating artists and arts organizations. Beyond IMMERSE, the organization produces venue-based programming including Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens and The Seasons with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as year-round owned media through the Artrepreneur podcast and This Week In Art video series.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its core 'product' is the curation, production, and execution of live immersive arts experiences in public spaces and partner venues. It maintains a freemium pricing structure: general admission to the flagship festival is free, while premium experiences (e.g., the VIP Dining Experience, the ticketed 'An Evening With The Orlando Vocal Collective' signature concert) generate incremental ticket revenue.

Revenue is diversified across individual donations (via the GiveSmart fundraising platform), corporate sponsorships (with AdventHealth as presenting sponsor for IMMERSE 2026 and Massey Services as presenting sponsor for the signature concert), government grants from Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, the State of Florida, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and modest ticket sales. The organization serves a hybrid set of customers: arts patrons and the general public (free attendees), participating artists and arts organizations (paid commissions), corporate sponsors (brand visibility), institutional donors and government funders (cultural mission support), and venue partners (audience reach).

Name

Creative City Project

Legal name

Creative City Project

Website

https://creativecityproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Creative City Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2012 in Orlando, FL, that produces free annual immersive arts festivals (IMMERSE) and venue-based experiences connecting local and international artists with tens of thousands of Central Florida patrons, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and government arts grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations to support its mission of cultivating a thriving arts community in Orlando. Donations are solicited through its website and fundraising platform.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Major corporate sponsors including AdventHealth (presenting sponsor), Massey Services (event sponsor), and dozens of other companies provide financial support and in-kind contributions. Sponsors gain visibility at events and association with the arts organization.
3. Government Grants and Funding: Funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, the State of Florida, Florida Arts & Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Also a proud partner of United Arts of Central Florida.
4. Ticket Sales: While core IMMERSE programming is free, the organization sells tickets for VIP experiences including the Dinner experience, premium viewing areas, and special access to certain performances and installations.
5. Volunteer Program: Volunteers support event operations including set-up, VIP areas, information booths, stage running, and ticket greeting. While not directly revenue-generating, volunteers enable cost-effective event production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Creative City Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that produces and hosts large-scale immersive arts festivals and signature cultural events in Downtown Orlando's public spaces. Its flagship offering is the annual free IMMERSE Festival featuring hundreds of artists and installations across multiple city blocks, supplemented by signature events such as 'An Evening With The Orlando Vocal Collective,' 'Dazzling Nights' at Harry P. Leu Gardens, and 'The Seasons' with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

Product overview

Creative City Project is an arts nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that produces immersive art experiences and events in Central Florida. The core product is the annual IMMERSE Festival, a free outdoor arts event transforming downtown Orlando with hundreds of artists and installations. Supporting products include signature concert events like 'An Evening With The Orlando Vocal Collective,' holiday programming such as Dazzling Nights, orchestral collaborations like The Seasons, and media content including the Artrepreneur Podcast and 'This Week In Art' video series. The organization began in 2012 and has grown from grassroots street performances to a major regional arts event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMMERSE: The annual flagship arts festival of Creative City Project, featuring immersive art experiences, performances, and installations in Downtown Orlando.

Products and services

• IMMERSE Festival Annual flagship immersive arts festival featuring hundreds of artists, performers, and installations across multiple blocks of Downtown Orlando streets and plazas (Orange Ave, Seneff Plaza, Chase Plaza). Free general admission with paid VIP experiences. Designed for arts patrons, families, and cultural tourists in Central Florida.
• An Evening With The Orlando Vocal Collective Ticketed signature concert event featuring an ensemble of 11 singers and a four-piece band from the Orlando Vocal Collective reimagining beloved songs spanning generations. Aimed at concertgoers and IMMERSE festival fans seeking a more intimate musical experience.
• Dazzling Nights Holiday immersive light and laser installation experience held at Harry P. Leu Gardens featuring giant illuminated ornaments and lighted trees. Targeted at families and holiday visitors in Central Florida.
• The Seasons Orchestral concert series combining symphonic performances by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra with Creative City Project's artistic presentation style. Aimed at classical music audiences and IMMERSE attendees in Central Florida.
• Artrepreneur Podcast Free weekly podcast hosted by Founder Cole NeSmith offering career guidance for artists and creative professionals. Distributed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Aimed at artists, performers, and creative entrepreneurs.
• This Week In Art

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of patrons attend annual IMMERSE events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AdventHealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor for IMMERSE 2026, providing major funding and brand visibility for the flagship annual festival. The partnership enables Creative City Project to produce large-scale programming while providing AdventHealth with prominent brand association.
• Massey ServicescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor for 'An Evening With the Orlando Vocal Collective' event and long-time supporter. Provides sponsorship funding and branding opportunities through the Massey Service Stage along Orange Ave.
• Orlando Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Venue partner that hosted 'Pompeii, The Immortal City' installation in 2020. Collaboration enables Creative City Project to reach science center audiences.
• Harry P. Leu GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Venue partner for the 'Dazzling Nights' holiday light show takeover, transforming the gardens into an immersive nighttime experience with giant Christmas ornaments and lighted trees.
• Blue Man GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Performed at IMMERSE 2019 on the Massey Service Stage, right along Orange Ave. The iconic performance group drew huge audiences and elevated the festival's national profile.
• DiavoloflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019LA-based dance group that performed on Seneff Plaza at Dr Phillips Center during IMMERSE events, bringing innovative physical theater to Orlando audiences.
• Orlando Philharmonic OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner for 'The Seasons' event series, performing orchestral works in association with Creative City Project. Conductor Eric Jacobsen led performances at The Seasons 2019 and 2022.
• Architects of AirflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019International installation artist group whose work was featured at Seneff Plaza during IMMERSE events, providing unique immersive light and sound environments.
• Orlando Vocal CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Local ensemble of 11 singers with a four-piece band that has performed at IMMERSE as a fan favorite. Chris Keough is Founder and Creative/Music Director. Featured in signature performances reimagining beloved songs.
• OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Corporate sponsor providing funding and branding at events. The 'OUC Lights' installation along Orange Ave was featured in IMMERSE programming.
• Orlando HealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Healthcare sponsor that created interactive installations including 'Art of Athleticism' featuring two giant LED Walls where guests digitally paint with their bodies.
• Downtown Development Board (DDB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013City entity that reached out after Creative City Project's 2013 event, recognizing the organization as a unique offering that could diversify Downtown Orlando. DDB has remained instrumental in helping amplify and support Creative City Project.
• Orlando BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Major arts organization partner that has collaborated with Creative City Project since its founding in 2012. Orlando Ballet performs at annual events including IMMERSE, appearing along Orange Ave and other Downtown Orlando venues.
• Cirque du SoleilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012International performing arts company that partnered with Creative City Project from its very first year, participating in early grassroots performances and lending world-class credibility to the organization.
• United Arts of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Funding and support organization for Central Florida arts. Creative City Project is a proud partner of the United Arts Collaborative Campaign for the Arts and receives partial funding through their campaigns.
• City of OrlandocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012City government partner that supports Creative City Project through infrastructure, permits, and coordination for Downtown Orlando events. The city has been instrumental in enabling public space activations.
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Major performing arts venue partner providing access to Seneff Plaza and Chase Plaza for IMMERSE events. The venue hosts performances on the Dr. Phillips Center Stage and provides world-class facilities.
• CorkcicleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Corporate sponsor whose 'The Worlds of Corkcicle' immersive photo experience was featured at IMMERSE events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• BLINK Cincinnati: BLINK is a free, large-scale immersive light and art festival that activates downtown public spaces across multiple city blocks. Like Creative City Project's IMMERSE, it relies on corporate sponsorship, city partnership, and free public access to drive audience scale.
• Sundance Institute: Sundance Institute is a nonprofit arts organization that runs festivals, labs, and programming supporting artists across disciplines. It is comparable to Creative City Project as a nonprofit arts organization with a flagship annual festival, artist development programming, and diversified sponsor/grant funding.
• ArtPrize: ArtPrize is a citywide, free-admission art competition and exhibition that activates public spaces across Grand Rapids. Like Creative City Project, it relies on free public access, civic partnership, and corporate sponsorship to deliver large-scale public arts programming.
• Luminato Festival: Luminato is a multidisciplinary urban arts festival in Toronto presenting music, dance, theater, and visual art in public and partner venues. It is comparable to Creative City Project's free, public-facing multidisciplinary festival model supported by corporate and civic sponsorship.
• Toronto Light Festival: Toronto Light Festival is a free outdoor immersive light-art festival activating a downtown district, closely comparable to Creative City Project's free public-space activation format and corporate sponsorship model.
• Burning Man Project: Burning Man Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces a large-scale immersive participatory arts experience, comparable to Creative City Project in nonprofit status, free public access model, multidisciplinary artist programming, and reliance on donations and sponsorships rather than ticket revenue.
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest multidisciplinary arts festival, combining free and ticketed programming across hundreds of performers and venues. Comparable to IMMERSE in scale ambition, multidisciplinary artist mix, and free public access model.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center: Lincoln Center is a large established performing arts organization presenting concerts, dance, and theater across multiple venues. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the performing arts ecosystem where Creative City Project operates, but Lincoln Center operates indoor venues rather than free public-space activations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/creative-city-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Creative City Project