Senior Vice President & Orlando Market Leader, Highwoods Properties
Search every verified Steven Garrity interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In October 2024, Garrity appeared on the inaugural episode of the SPARK THE ARTS Podcast, where he discussed Highwoods Properties' role in supporting the arts in downtown Orlando. He stated that the company, which owns office buildings in the area, has made available a ground-floor space at no cost to artists and United Arts of Central Florida through a program called Spark the Arts Studios. Garrity described the space as previously "dark" and unleased, and said the company's goal was to "activate" it and "add value to our customers' life experience through art." He noted that if the space is leased, artists would have 60 days to vacate, but added that the company is a "long-term holder of real estate" and is "delighted" to host the program. Garrity also addressed broader downtown revitalization efforts following the pandemic, saying that the city of Orlando had begun conversations with United Arts about improving downtown vibrancy. He said Highwoods is "working with the city to place musicians in the city every day" and to have "storefront visual artists" visible to the public, framing the initiative as a matter of "economic development along with quality of life." He added that artists in the residency program are responsible for teaching "lunch and learns" to building tenants, which he said helps artists build a following and inspires office workers who may have a "creative fire inside."
“We're fortunate to have a focus on arts in downtown Orlando and here at Highwoods we own some office buildings. While we're over 90% leased, we have some spaces that we call dark spaces where the lights aren't on and they're not leased. This particular space on the first floor we wanted to activate, and we're a big fan...”
“Art really adds and enriches people's experiences as they come into the building. It's our goal to add value to our customers' life experience through art throughout our entire portfolio and company.”
“After the pandemic, downtowns across America and the world were struggling to get people to come back into the work environment and offices. The city of Orlando had started conversations with United Arts about how to improve the vibrancy of downtown and get more people to come into the city at lunchtime and evenings to...”
“We're working with the city to place musicians in the city every day and have storefront visual artists that people walk by every day and say, 'Wow, this city has something going on in the arts.' It's about economic development along with quality of life and being a healthy community.”
“Highwoods Properties is a long-term holder of real estate, so with the lights and dynamics going on here, the last thing we want to do is turn off the lights and kick you all out. We're delighted that you're here long term, and our customers are so delighted they can get away from their office and have the opportunity...”
“Highwoods Properties has made this space available at no cost to the artists or United Arts. If the space is leased, artists have to be out in 60 days, but artists are flexible. We're looking for non-traditional spaces for performances and studios because many arts organizations and artists need facilities and working...”
“The artists in the residency program are responsible for teaching lunch and learns to our customers, bringing a lunchtime experience where they can learn about an artist's journey or creation. This helps artists have their own community and following and inspires people working downtown who might have a creative fire i...”
“The selection process to be an artist in the Spark the Arts Studios was very intentional and equitable. We had over 40 legitimate applications, and United Arts ensures the process for accessing resources is fair. We don't just handpick who we know; we make people aware of opportunities for funding, studios, and public...”
SPARK THE ARTS Podcast -- In this inaugural episode, join host David Wheeler as he asks, listens, and learns from the key ...
Sign in to search the full transcript archive, filter by topic, and access every quote from Steven Garrity.
The summary and quote tags on this profile are produced with AI assistance from verified, first-person interview transcripts, then checked by our team to confirm the speaker's identity and the accuracy of every quote. See how we verify →