What we’re about
The Alliance for the Arts (AFTA) is proud to provide unique and plentiful opportunities to create, experience and collaborate on art in all forms of expression. AFTA is committed to breaking down barriers to access the arts and increasing awareness about the role of the arts in stimulating workforce development and helping bridge the digital divide, developing cultural appreciation, and attaining positive mental and physical health, among many other benefits.
At AFTA we believe that the arts serve as a strong foundation for individuals and the community, and our mission reflects that. We know that the arts can be the inspiration for learning, collaborating, creating and understanding. Art is where we can all be unique while being the same: It is cathartic and uniting, and at AFTA, all are welcome to find and pursue their creative path.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- ENCORE! Decades of ShowstoppersAlliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, FL$20.00
Limited tickets remain. Click here to purchase them on our website.
The Alliance for the Arts invites you to experience not one, but two spectacular performances of music and theatrical magic with ENCORE! Decades of Showstoppers, a high-energy Broadway revue performed on Saturday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Foulds Theatre.
This spectacular showcase celebrates the greatest hits from Broadway’s golden age to today’s most iconic musicals. With powerhouse vocals, stirring melodies, and theatrical flair, ENCORE! takes audiences on a nostalgic and thrilling journey through the decades. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of musicals or discovering the magic of Broadway for the first time, this is one show that’s guaranteed to become “one of your favorite things.”
Featured performers Melissa Cook and Tim Nelson will bring Broadway to life with beloved selections from Porgy & Bess, The Sound of Music, Les Misérables, Evita, Cabaret, and more. Highlights include:- “Summertime” (Porgy & Bess)
- “Edelweiss” (The Sound of Music)
- “Master of the House” and “I Dreamed A Dream” (Les Misérables)
- “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (Evita)
- “Maybe This Time” (Cabaret)
### About the Performers:
Melissa Cook has captivated audiences for over 30 years with her extraordinary four-octave range and commanding stage presence. She has performed over 40 leading roles in musical theatre across the country. Career highlights include appearances as Diana Goodman (Next to Normal), Queenie (The Wild Party), Eva Peron (Evita), and Sally Bowles (Cabaret), earning Broadway World nominations for her performances in The Man of La Mancha and Sweeney Todd. Her diverse career includes performing on the Mississippi Queen riverboat, voicing villains in anime series (Nanoha, The Familiar of Zero), touring internationally as Lead Classical Vocalist for Silversea Cruises, and singing at iconic events such as the 1993 Super Bowl Halftime Show with Michael Jackson. More at: YouTube.com/@lilaandmel
Tim Nelson is an award-winning composer, director, and musician with over 300 productions to his credit. A graduate of the University of Colorado with postgraduate studies at Boston University’s School for the Arts, he currently serves as Managing Artistic Director of the Rose Center Theater in Orange County, California. Nelson’s original musicals, including Alice in Wonderland and Bright Blue Sky (a 9/11 tribute musical), have been performed across the globe, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is also principal oboist with the Vietnamese-American Philharmonic Orchestra and an advocate for arts education. Explore his work at TNTMusicals.c
- Acrylic Painting with Pat Smelkoff: Under the SeaAlliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, FL$75.00
You must register on our website prior to attending. Click here.
Dive into creativity with our “Under the Sea” Acrylic Painting Class, a vibrant, beginner-friendly session designed to help you explore the beauty of ocean life through bold color and brushwork. Whether you’re brand new to painting or looking to enhance your skills, this class will guide you step-by-step as you create your own underwater masterpiece—featuring everything from playful fish to flowing seaweed and shimmering ocean light.
We’ll cover basic acrylic techniques, including blending, layering, and texture creation, while encouraging your own artistic expression. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary—just bring your imagination and a splash of curiosity!
- ENCORE! Decades of ShowstoppersAlliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, FL$20.00
Limited tickets remain. Click here to purchase them on our website.
The Alliance for the Arts invites you to experience not one, but two spectacular performances of music and theatrical magic with ENCORE! Decades of Showstoppers, a high-energy Broadway revue performed on Saturday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Foulds Theatre.
This spectacular showcase celebrates the greatest hits from Broadway’s golden age to today’s most iconic musicals. With powerhouse vocals, stirring melodies, and theatrical flair, ENCORE! takes audiences on a nostalgic and thrilling journey through the decades. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of musicals or discovering the magic of Broadway for the first time, this is one show that’s guaranteed to become “one of your favorite things.”
Featured performers Melissa Cook and Tim Nelson will bring Broadway to life with beloved selections from Porgy & Bess, The Sound of Music, Les Misérables, Evita, Cabaret, and more. Highlights include:- “Summertime” (Porgy & Bess)
- “Edelweiss” (The Sound of Music)
- “Master of the House” and “I Dreamed A Dream” (Les Misérables)
- “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (Evita)
- “Maybe This Time” (Cabaret)
### About the Performers:
Melissa Cook has captivated audiences for over 30 years with her extraordinary four-octave range and commanding stage presence. She has performed over 40 leading roles in musical theatre across the country. Career highlights include appearances as Diana Goodman (Next to Normal), Queenie (The Wild Party), Eva Peron (Evita), and Sally Bowles (Cabaret), earning Broadway World nominations for her performances in The Man of La Mancha and Sweeney Todd. Her diverse career includes performing on the Mississippi Queen riverboat, voicing villains in anime series (Nanoha, The Familiar of Zero), touring internationally as Lead Classical Vocalist for Silversea Cruises, and singing at iconic events such as the 1993 Super Bowl Halftime Show with Michael Jackson. More at: YouTube.com/@lilaandmel
Tim Nelson is an award-winning composer, director, and musician with over 300 productions to his credit. A graduate of the University of Colorado with postgraduate studies at Boston University’s School for the Arts, he currently serves as Managing Artistic Director of the Rose Center Theater in Orange County, California. Nelson’s original musicals, including Alice in Wonderland and Bright Blue Sky (a 9/11 tribute musical), have been performed across the globe, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is also principal oboist with the Vietnamese-American Philharmonic Orchestra and an advocate for arts education. Explore his work at TNTMusicals.c
