By the time Florida became a state in 1845, the Sunshine State already had a long and colorful history. From the first Native Americans to Spanish conquistadors like Hernando De Soto and Juan Ponce De Leon, and the eventual arrival of the pioneer settlers known as Florida Crackers, Florida has always been a melting pot of peoples and culture.
This great variety of history and cultures has carried forward to present day, with a mixture of young and old, rural and urban, and many ethnicities. Large Latino communities in Tampa and Miami, a large population of local farmers, and retirees fleeing colder more northern regions have all conspired to make Florida the sophisticated and diverse state it is today.
One of the results of a state with this amount of diversification and wealth is a strong arts community. Because tourism is Florida's largest industry and wealthy retirees make up a large part of the population, the arts have a strong support base and flourish in the warm and creative environment.
Crafts
Florida is a state with a strong pioneer past, and that history is celebrated across the state through folk festivals, pioneer days, and museums and exhibits. Folk crafts often started out as daily necessities, and gradually became an art form. Crafts such as basket weaving out of native pine needles, wood carving into duck decoys, and the making of furniture, and quilts made from leftover fabric scraps are just a few of the items one can see, and often purchase around the state.
For certain areas of the state, specific local crafts are produced. In the Ybor City area of Tampa, tobacco and cigars once ruled. Visitors to this area can still view master rollers, or tabaqueros, as they make Cuban-style hand rolled cigars. Beach goers can stop by Sanibel Island during the annual Shell Fair, and view and purchase hundreds of creative crafts made entirely of seashells.
Performing Arts
Florida has a large number of renowned performing arts organizations. Artists from around the world train and perform in the many dance, music, and theater companies in residence. Because the majority of the population and wealth is concentrated in the southern region of Florida, so are the arts. While great quality companies are found across the state, there is a higher concentration of performing arts organizations in south Florida.
Nearly every major metro area in Florida is home to one or more dance companies. From professional ballet companies to modern troupes, from flamenco to ballroom, quality performances can be experienced nearly year round. Folk dancing is still popular in many areas as well, with a large number of active groups in the central and northern regions.
Theater is popular around the area as well. Florida is home to several well-respected, major professional theater companies, including the Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, the Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers, Florida Stage in West Palm Beach, and the Seaside Theatre in Daytona Beach. A plethora of community playhouses are scattered around the state as well from Pensacola to the Florida Keys.
For lovers of music, Florida is a treasure trove. Many classical companies and symphonies are headquartered here. Sarasota and Orlando are home to professional opera companies, while several symphony orchestras are located in nearly every major city.
Throughout the state, multiple music festivals offer live music almost year round in every genre, including jazz, rock, folk, country, and bluegrass. Florida is also the breeding ground for such musical greats as Jimmy Buffet, Ray Charles, and Stephen Foster. In addition, the beach and colleges around the state contribute to a laid-back, creative climate that supports live music at numerous venues.
Film
Visitors who love film can certainly get an eyeful in Florida. In addition to a large number of film festivals held throughout the state, Florida is a very popular location for commercial filming. From small towns to state parks to sporting arenas, movie goers can visit the site of the filming of many box office hits, including Tarzan, Caddy Shack, The Truman Show, and Doc Hollywood. Of course, for the adventurous, visitors can see the studios and ride the rides at the Disney MGM Studios and the Universal Studios theme parks.
Visual Arts
Florida's stunning scenery and creative environment has been the muse for many well-known artists. Artists such as The Florida Highwaymen, John James Audubon, and Clyde Butcher have all taken inspiration from the natural characteristics of the state. Florida is also home to several world-class museums, including the Salvador Dali Museum in Tampa, the official State Museum of Florida, the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, and the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art in Orlando.
Literature
The Sunshine State's balmy climate has also attracted many writers, both past and present. Such luminaries as Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams took up residence in the Florida Keys, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived in rural north Florida. Many contemporary writers like Carl Hiaasen, Randy Wayne White, Dave Barry, and Patricia Cornwell all call Florida home, often setting stories in present day Florida.
Florida is a treasure trove of arts and entertainment. From live music and creative artwork, to sophisticated museums and thought-provoking theater, Florida offers a wealth of artistic pursuits for its residents and visitors to enjoy.