Does the Tampa Bay Area Lack Culture?

Tampa Bay area residents have heard it all. The region is “devoid” of culture. It lacks refinement. There’s just not an appreciation for the arts here.

Despite a major performing arts center, an orchestra, the treasure trove that is Sarasota and dozens of museums and galleries, some agree with the critics.

Even so, many Tampa Bay area museums are stepping up to the plate to take part in Saturday’s Museum Live Day, sponsored annually by Smithsonian Magazine. On Sept. 29, museums throughout the country will offer free admission to expose their cultural offerings to a larger population.

In the Tampa Bay area, some of the museums providing free entry on Saturday include the Tampa Bay History Center, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. A complete list of venues is available on Smithsonian.com. Tickets for entry can also be printed out from the website.

So Tampa Bay, what do you think? Is our region doing just fine on the cultural front, or could it use some help? Share your thoughts in the comments section.