OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Reilly Arts Center Executive Director Natalie McComb and Reilly Arts Center Senior Director of Operations and Programming Adam Volpe presented their annual activity report at the Ocala City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) organization manages a professional performing ensemble at two venues, the Reilly Arts Center and Marion Theatre, as well as a community music school.
“As the city’s partner, our responsibility is to ensure these facilities are not only well-utilized, but they serve as a vibrant, accessible cultural arts assets for the entire community,” said McComb.
In the fiscal year to date, July 2025 to March 2026, the Reilly Arts Center hosted 125 events, serving nearly 39,000 patrons, and they’re on track to exceed 50,000 by year’s end.
“The Reilly Arts Center is an active venue, consistently programmed year-round, and serving a wide cross section of the community,” said McComb. “It’s also attracting visitors and tourists with more than 30% of our patrons residing outside of Marion County bringing in additional income and economic impact to the City of Ocala. The Ocala Symphony Orchestra remains a key cultural anchor having just celebrated its historic 50th season this year, and the Reilly Arts Center celebrating 10 years of serving the community.”
The Ocala Symphony performed 25 concerts, with season subscriptions increasing by a record-breaking 12 percent, reflecting not only attendance but sustained community investment in the arts.
“We’ve long prioritized creating ways for audiences to connect through open rehearsals and educational conversations that make the experience more accessible and engaging,” said McComb. “At the Marion Theatre we’ve seen strong consistent use with over 300 film screenings and 100 special events already this year. We’re also expected to surpass 20,000 patron visits by the end of the fiscal year.”
The Marion Theatre plays a critical role in creating accessibility as it offers frequent, affordable programs and brings regular foot traffic to the downtown area supporting local restaurants and retail establishments, said McComb.
“At the Reilly Arts Center, our mission is to meaningfully impact our community through the arts, and for us that means not just presenting high quality performances, but ensuring that access to the arts is broad, inclusive and integrated to the community,” said McComb.
The past season reflects both quality, diversity of programming from nationally recognized and Grammy Award winning artists, such as Allison Brown, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Chris Botti, to genre focused series featuring touring jazz and blues artists, said McComb.
“This variety allows us to serve different segments of the community, while maintaining a consistent standard of excellence,” said McComb. “That also positions Ocala as a destination for cultural experiences within the region. One highlight for next season is the live to film presentation of Disney’s ‘Aladdin,’ that pairs the orchestra with the full-length film. It’s a great example of how we’re creating accessible family-friendly entry points to the arts.”
The expansion of the Reilly Arts Center facilities allowed for them to expand their community impact by opening an on-site community music school, where each week they provide 125 music lessons to students ranging from age five to 85, said McComb.
“We’ve awarded over $20,000 in need-based scholarships this year,” said McComb. “We also partner with Marion County Public Schools to bring music directly into the classrooms. We offer free and reduced opportunities for students, veterans and community groups to come and experience the power or live music performance.”
Corporate sponsors and community partners are essential to the quality and the breadth of the programming the Reilly Arts Center is able to offer. Ticket revenue covers less than half of their operating expenses, the support from the corporate sponsors and community partners allows them to bring in nationally touring artists, elevate the artistic quality of their performances and ensure that the arts remain accessible to the broader community, not just those who can afford a ticket, said McComb.
“The patron feedback we receive consistently highlights not only the quality of performances, but the overall experience, from acoustics to customer service,” said McComb. “That consistency is critical as it builds trust within the community and encourages engagement, and that repeat engagement is what turns a venue into a true community asset.”