About Marion Cultural Alliance
Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) is the officially designated local arts agency for Ocala/Marion County, recognized by the City of Ocala and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. Since 2001, MCA has worked to champion local artists and arts organizations, convene the community around the arts, and create opportunities that enrich lives and fuel our local economy.
Through strategic grants, cultural programs, and advocacy, MCA has invested more than $685,000 in funding for nonprofit arts organizations and artists, helping them grow, thrive, and bring creative experiences to our community. Our support extends across disciplines — visual arts, music, theatre, dance, history, and heritage — making the arts accessible and essential to all.
At the heart of MCA is Brick City Center for the Arts, our downtown gallery and community hub. Each year, The Brick presents 11 unique exhibitions featuring local and regional artists, along with workshops, performances, and special events.
MCA also leads initiatives that boost cultural tourism and celebrate Marion County’s unique creative spirit, including public art projects like Horse Fever, annual events such as Applaud the Arts, and collaborative campaigns like ARTober Fest and Ocala Metro Art Scene (OMAS).
The MCA Mission
Our mission is to
- Champion
- Convene
- Create
MCA is a champion of the ARTs in Marion County. We champion grants to help ARTists, ART Organizations, educators, school projects and much more. MCA pARTners with organizations to bring culture of all types to our community, whether it’s music, theater, or artwork.
MCA convenes the ARTs for both ARTists, businesses, ART enthusiasts and collectors. We do this by supporting activities, initiatives and programs relating to the arts, fine arts, historical and scientific museums through grants, advocacy, fundraising and partnerships. MCA is located at The Brick in the heart of downtown Ocala. Our gallery exhibits change monthly and also has a store where artwork is sold.
MCA creates opportunities for artists and organizations to develop their talents and learn how to make art their business. For example, MCA partners with the CEP to host bi-annual workshops for ARTrepreneurs titled, “How to Make Your Art Your Business.” We offer grants to ARTists providing opportunities into their field.
We are passionate about our community, artists, and artist organizations. Our vision is to empower, encourage and provide opportunities for expression for each of these groups. We hope to have a lot of fun in the process!
How Marion Cultural Alliance Came To Be
In the early 1990’s, a group of volunteers gathered at Brick City Center for the Arts, a joint venture of the city of Ocala and College of Central Florida. A gallery was established in the heart of historic downtown Ocala and was a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Ocala.
As our community grew and changed, so did we. Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) was formed in the fall of 2000.
The timing coincided with what started out as “Cow-Art” and grew into a world-wide exhibit where communities participated. This project combined a love of art with animals in a whimsical and uplifting way and became a national phenomenon. The art produced was incredible, it created a community identity, philanthropy, and civic pride in every community that participated.
A group that included Ellen Gilchrist, Stew Robinson, Laurie Zink, Jessica McCune, Rus Adams and Paula King, inspired this public art movement by recognizing we lived in the Horse Capitol of the World.
Our goal was to channel our passion for the ARTs into something relevant and lasting. A plan began to form.
Marion Cultural Alliance was formed, and Horse Fever became Ocala’s very own celebration thanks to the talented visual artists, dedicated and visionary volunteers, generous sponsors, and a city that loves horses.
Not even the terrorist attack of 9/11- two weeks prior to our horses’ debut – could dampen the power of these amazing four-legged expressions of community pride. In fact, the terrible event underscored the power of art, by showing how art convenes.
- Art heals.
- Art expresses the desires, struggles, and aspirations of the human heart.
Take a look at our video. You’ll see highlights of our first 15 years, what we’ve done with the over $2 million raised by Horse Fever and other efforts, and perhaps be inspired to join us as we champion, convene, and create into what promises to be an incredible future.