By Linda Y. Walters
The Orlando Museum of Art’s CEO and Executive Director Cathryn Mattson is committed to a continuation of best practices adopted during the most recent years and is dedicated to assuring the Museum’s audience an ongoing valued experience. OMA recently received a powerful reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, a coveted confirmation of its place in overall museum relevance.
With recent and ongoing exhibitions like David LaChapelle’s “As the World Turns” as well as “PUSH” by skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, OMA continues its commitment to digital connection and exemplary retrospectives open to the general public with particular emphasis on educational tours for students.
Attracting more than 6500 students per year, they pride themselves on the existing contract with the Orange County Board of Education which focuses on workshops with special needs and students with autism. The broad spectrum of students this program reaches also includes caregivers as well.
The very popular “Access for All Program” recognized every third Thursday from 8 – 10 will be continued and is funded by the incredibly impactful Art Bridges grant. This program was initiated with a three-year grant, both generous in its intention as well as its funding. SunRail, as part of this effort, has allowances for complimentary transportation vouchers.
OMA is also engaged in Art’s the Spark, an ongoing program from May 2026 through October which, through interactive tours of the Museum’s exhibitions, gives those living with memory impairment as well as other neurological impairments, a fun and immersive experience and an expressive outlet. Similar to the program currently engaged in at MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, this popular program provides a rich and extremely satisfying experience for all who participate.
Currently the program is held on Saturdays only from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Scheduled dates are May 2, June 6, July 11, August 1, September 5 and October 10.
Art’s the Spark is another OMA program which runs on select Sundays, connecting visitors of all ages with developmental as well as learning disabilities. Designed to be inclusive of those on the autism spectrum as well, it also exposes attendees to art and the world around them. The Creative Connections program sparks both imagination as well as fostering creative expression for all in attendance.
This amazingly resourceful and interactive program is sponsored by Jan Clanton, Susan Battaglia, Judy LaRue and Susan Rosoff.
This amazingly interactive and inclusive program is available on select Sundays starting with May 3, June 7, July 5, Aug. 2, September 6 and October 4. 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. are the time frames available for Museum visitors to take advantage of these interactive and specialized programs.
In addition to the above specialized art programs, OMA has an ongoing workshop program for breast cancer survivors which also allows weekend access which is designed to empower them to process their breast cancer journey and to also promote healing. ILLUME, through the creative process of the making of art, gallery discussions, meditative experiences and other workshop activities, will provide participants with an opportunity for connective self expression through visual arts.
The remaining weekends include June 26 – 28 and August 21 – 23. Please call 407 896-4231 to register or email education@omart.org. ILLUME is a transformative workshop for breast cancer survivors and is the first of its kind mindfulness program offered by a museum. OMA is proud to illuminate, enlighten and educate with programs of this kind with an intention to encourage mental and behavioral well being among participants. The program is sponsored by the Council of 101 and Sweet Charities.
The Orlando Museum of Art will host “A Day of Four Sunsets” at Loch Haven Park this June in conjunction with the Orlando Science Center. Exciting news of a female guest astronaut expected to present the program to students in attendance is further confirmation of this well-thought-out celebration. This event in the Park will also present the 12th Annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, which selects ten artists allowing them 1,000 sq. feet of space to construct and implement their chosen projects. A selected jury will present the final prize with everyone in attendance being given an opportunity to vote.
Orlando’s diverse community is reflected in both the attending audience and in the students represented.
Candy Lopez (Miami) was last year’s award winner submitting work that had the audience in awe of her talent and composition.
Three hundred fourteen works of art were shared with OMA two years ago with the David LaChapelle photography retrospective still in residence for your viewing pleasure through May 1st, 2026.
Fascinating work from National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward, an eighth-generation Floridian, has submitted an amazing retrospective on Florida wildlife with a specific focus on the “vanishing” panther.
Cathryn Mattson stated, “This is a place where art enthusiasts can have important conversations while viewing inspiring and relevant works.” Based on the current curriculum of programs and the obvious relevance, she’s absolutely correct.
This busy CEO and obvious lover of solid and impactful, immersive art programs continues to steer the Orlando Museum of Art in an impactful and relevant direction. We’re fortunate to have her.
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