Winter Park Playhouse Receives National Stand for the Arts Award

Ovation TV and Spectrum revealed the recipients of the 2025-2026 Stand For The Arts Awards, which recognizes local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs. Since the initiative began in 2017, Ovation TV and Spectrum have given out 90 awards totaling $900,000 towards arts education. This year, 10 organizations will receive support in Spectrum markets across the country.

Select arts organizations are awarded $10,000 Stand For The Arts contributions based on the following criteria: their support of creatives and artists via community-driven programming; as advocates for equity and access to the arts; and for providing accessible community spaces for creative expression.

“Ovation TV is dedicated to uplifting community-based arts organizations that inspire creativity and expand access,” said Sol Doten, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Ovation TV. “This year’s honorees represent extraordinary commitments to education, cultural preservation and artistic expression, and we are proud to stand with Spectrum in supporting their impact.”

This year’s awardees represent a diverse range of organizations using the arts to strengthen and enrich their communities. The Winter Park Playhouse in Florida exemplifies the impact of arts in the South by providing professional musical theater productions and education programs that bring high-quality performance experiences to audiences of all ages. In the Northeast, Auburn Public Theater in Auburn, New York enriches its community through accessible live performances, cinema, arts education and cultural events that bring people together. The Louisville Orchestra in Kentucky continues to innovate through bold performances, youth programs and neighborhood residencies designed to make orchestral music accessible to everyone, representing the Midwest’s commitment to artistic inclusion. And in the West, The Holland Project in Reno, Nevada empowers young artists through accessible all-ages programming that nurtures creativity and emerging talent. All 10 organizations honored reflect the vital role the arts play in communities across every region of the country.

“Local arts organizations make a lasting difference in the communities we serve,” said Adam Falk, Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs at Spectrum. “Through our continued support of Ovation’s Stand For The Arts Awards, we recognize the organizations and leaders expanding access to creative expression and cultural experiences across the country. These investments enrich neighborhoods and connect people in meaningful ways – which is at the core of what Spectrum does.”

Along with a Stand For The Arts award, each organization will receive a $10,000 contribution to support their efforts. The Spectrum markets and the arts organizations being recognized are:

Winter Park, FL: The Winter Park Playhouse
Loudon, TN: Loudon County Concert Band
Louisville, KY: Louisville Orchestra
Rochester, MN: Rochester Art Center
Sheboygan, WI: John Michael Kohler Arts Center
New York City, NY: Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling
Auburn, NY: Auburn Public Theater
Reno, NV: The Holland Project
Oahu, HI: Hawai’i Youth Symphony 
Telluride, CO: Sheridan Arts Foundation 

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