Today we’d like to introduce you to Melyssa Marshall.
Hi Melyssa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Creative City Project started in 2012 after Founder & Artistic Director, Cole NeSmith looked around at so many of his creative community in music, dance, design, and visual art and thinking, “our city would be better off if more people knew about the amazing work my friends are creating.” So that first year, without much organization, almost no money, and no permission, he (along with help from Terry Olson, Lindsay Janssen and Theresa Dobritch) facilitated a performance in a Downtown public space every day during the month of October.
On a whim, we called Orlando Ballet and Cirque du Soleil. They were interested in what we were doing, and they both agreed to participate. Years later, they remain some of our staple collaborating organizations.
In 2013, a small team started contacting artists and businesses, and with a little more organization, we started moving forward – this time with the plan to condense all that energy and creativity into one night of the performance.
With a huge desire to see a thriving creative community here in Orlando, we officially created Creative City Project as a nonprofit with a mission to create a deeper sense of care for our city’s creative expression. It was happening, and people were noticing. With the help of Downtown Development Board, the now annual Performing and Interactive Art Festival had a home in the heart of Downtown Orlando. DDB has remained instrumental in helping us bring Creative City Project to life.
As we’ve continued on, thousands of artists have joined us and tens of thousands of patrons have encountered the meaningful experiences those artists are creating in the streets and public spaces of the city. The festival rebranded in 2017 as IMMERSE Fest and momentum has continued to make IMMERSE one of the south’s most exciting and collaborative art and performance events gaining national and international attention.
Downtown Orlando is well on its way to becoming the premier destination for performance and installation artists from all over the world. Together, the creative community will make it happen, supported by many partners along the way. Partners such as Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the City of Orlando have come to the table to ensured the ongoing success of IMMERSE! It takes a village and we could not be more grateful for their continued support, backing and belief in the creative community of IMMERSE.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along with many artists and arts organizations, the world wide pandemic was a giant set back to the Arts & Cultural community. Events stopped, patrons stayed indoors, and funding dried up.
After a three and half year hiatus and much time spent in campaign efforts, IMMERSE is finally fully funded and returning to Downtown Orlando February 21-23. The campaigning sets Creative City Project up to return annually and we are beyond thrilled and thankful for the team effort to bring IMMERSE back.
The growth and momentum built from the recurring festival between 2012 and 2019 (and the 2020 reschedule to 2021) has been a challenge we were ready for and have created the largest marketing and PR plan to date. We are excited for the 2025 return and have incredible partners coming to the table to take part in the festival activities. To name a few… Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Orlando’s own Micheal James Scott (original Genie in Broadway’s Aladdin), Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, with Jeremy Kittel, and Christopher Schardt displaying two of his art installations on the lawn of Dr Philips Center.
It’s been a long four years… but things are looking bright!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Creative City Project began in 2012 as a group of artists performing on street corners and in plazas around Downtown Orlando. The event was renamed IMMERSE at the beginning of 2017. Its mission is three-fold: To cultivate a thriving arts community in Central Florida, to nurture a deeper sense of ownership of and care for Orlando amongst its residents and to shape the global perception of The City Beautiful as one known for innovation and creativity. In addition to IMMERSE, Creative City Project is committed to helping guests live a life of creativity and adventure by connecting them with meaningful arts experiences throughout the year. Each Monday, Creative City Project releases “This Week In Art” video series highlighting interesting arts events happening across Central Florida that week. For more information, visit www.creativecityproject.com.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Connecting artists, residents, tourists through meaningful shared experiences in the public spaces of our city, transforming the way we see and experience its people and places. Making the arts accessible to all through our annual festival. Creating experience audiences can’t have anywhere else, through cross-genre artistic collaborations and highlighting world-class artists innovating in their field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.immersefest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecityproject/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeCityProject
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-city-project
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Creative_Proj
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeCityProject
- Other: https://www.immersefest.com
