Lakeland is a diverse city when it comes to Arts & Culture. In fact, the amount of cultural activities available rival cities much larger and the community is very active making the experience of participating even more remarkable. Here are just a few of the venues that you can enjoy.

• Explorations V Children's Museum will surprise your senses on a jet-stream journey of discovery through touchable exhibits featuring art, science, literature, math, health, life skills, and cultures from around the world. Throughout Explorations V Children's Museums three floors are hands-on learning activities and kid-powered exhibits that foster creativity, imagination, and exploration. You'll be amazed at how much fun learning can be!
• Florida Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company dedicated to the enhancement of our community, through the art of dance. Florida Dance Theatre's troupe gives several performance series to enrich the cultural landscape of Polk County. Taking professional dance into area public schools, Florida Dance Theatre has reached as many as 10,000 young people throughout Polk County.
• Florida Southern College Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture & Visitors Center is the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Information Center features the famous collection of information about the famous architect, including a permanent exhibition of his photos, drawings, correspondence, and a 12-structure "Child of the Sun" exhibit.
• Harrison School for the Arts offers programs in music, theatre, musical theatre, dance and visual arts for students in grades 9 - 12. Students are admitted to the Harrison School for the Arts by audition only and attend Lakeland Senior High School for their core curriculum. Performances are open to the public and include the Harrison Symphony, Harrison Singers, theatre main stage production, musical theatre productions, concerts from the Piano and Dance Departments, visual arts exhibitions, and an annual school-wide musical.
• The Imperial Symphony Orchestra hosts a full season of live symphonic performances, that includes our popular "Music & Martinis" season kick-off, five enriching Tuesday evening masterwork concerts, a fully staged opera, a Sunday afternoon family "Cookie" concert at The Lakeland Center, fall outdoor pops in Lakeland and Winter Haven, and a "Concert Under the Stars" at Historic Bok Sanctuary in the spring. Educational programs include master classes with guest and local artists, Our "Tea & Symphony" music appreciation program on the Tuesday before each masterworks concert, and four school-day performances for nearly 9,000 of Polk County's fourth and fifth graders.
• Pied Piper Players, Lakeland Community Theatre is entering its 21st season at the Lake Mirror Center Theatre. The theatre produces five Main Stage Productions per season which runs from October through July. In addition, the Theatre for Youth offers a production in June and September. Theatre classes are offered throughout the year, including a summer theatre camp.
• The Polk Museum of Art is "More than an Art Museum" and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Lecture programs include curator-led tours of each current exhibition; a monthly lunchtime gathering featuring local and regional artists discussing and demonstrating their works. Performing arts programs include musical performances, films and plays. Art classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Annual public events include our annual Family Day in September, Red, White, and the Blues party in October, Festival of Trees in November, Kwanzaa celebration on December 26, and Volvo Mayfaire by-the-Lake every Mother's Day weekend.
• Polk Theatre, one of the last remaining atmospheric theatres in the state, was originally built in 1927 as a vaudeville and movie house. Restored, it now has a renewed life as the ideal venue for performances, films and social gatherings. The Polk Theatre shows quality films independent films as well as foreign films and hosts a Performing Arts Series that brings nationally-acclaimed shows to its stage. Free backstage tours are available upon advance request.
• The Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun is Florida's official aviation museum and education center. On display you'll find a unique collection of aircraft and other aviation related memorabilia, including over 35 experimental and home- built aircrafts.The museum is also home to the exclusive Howard Hughes collection and exhibits featuring Charles Lindbergh and the Tuskegee Airmen. Year-round education programs allow students of all ages to experience aviation through hands-on learning activities, summer camps and a lecture series featuring historical figures in aviation.
• The Lakeland Center is a four-building complex under one roof and is home to many diverse performing arts programs including the Lakeland Broadway and Entertainment Series, Imperial Symphony Orchestra, various children's performances, and numerous dance and talent competitions. The flexible venue features 100,000 square feet of modern exhibit space for corporate meetings, tradeshows, banquets and sporting events. The Jenkins Arena at The Lakeland Center is the choice location for large concerts, meetings and indoor sports. The Jenkins Arena is also home to the Lakeland Thunderbolts, our indoor arena football team, and visitors can enjoy public ice skating during the winter season.

So, as you can see, Lakeland has much to offer those who enjoy Arts & Culture. In addition to all that is listed, remember that Lakeland is located less than an hour from both Tampa and Orlando so even more possibilities exist for those who choose to explore.