Winter Park Institute previews 2027 season, thanks city for $25,000 grant

Lawrence Lyman, chair of the Winter Park Institute board, told the City Commission that the nonprofit has roots stretching back to 1930 and thanked the city for its $25,000 grant, which the board called an important investment in programming.

"We are extremely grateful for that investment," Lyman said, noting the Institute’s shift to an independent nonprofit in 2021 and prior programming that brought national figures to Winter Park.

Lindsay Kiss, the Institute’s executive director, outlined plans for 2027 and said WPI aims to make Winter Park a regional destination for ideas. She listed major speakers scheduled for the coming season, including chef and humanitarian Jose Andrés and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author in February, and described programs that pair large keynote events with community activities and philanthropic tie-ins. Kiss said the Institute will continue smaller gatherings and partnerships to carry ideas into local work and civic life.

Kiss highlighted Pages for the Ages, a program that brings Rollins students together with older adults to discuss books and films, and said a recent season culminated in a $10,000 contribution to a scholars program supported by Orlando Health. She urged continued collaboration between the Institute, Rollins College, cultural organizations and the city to expand civic engagement.

The commission offered compliments and raised logistics questions about upcoming events; the presentation closed with an invitation to commissioners to participate in Institute programming and to a November event expected to sell out.

The presentation ran during the commission’s community partner slot and concluded without a formal action by the commission.