PRESS RELEASE: The Otis Redding Foundation Announces Opening of Center for the Arts

Macon, GA (March 13, 2025) - Today, the Otis Redding Foundation announced the opening of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA) located in the heart of downtown in Macon, GA. ORCA will serve young people in Central Georgia between the ages of 5 and 18 who are interested in music and the arts, with plans to roll out programming for toddlers and senior citizens later this year. Its programs, which incorporate music and the arts with the latest technologies, include spaces for private lessons, workshops, and summer camps intended to foster confidence and creativity in its students. The curriculum will cover various aspects of both the creative and business sides of music, including content creation, performing, entertainment law, engineering, graphic design and touring. Additionally, ORCA has entered into special partnerships with the Bibb County School District, Roberts Academy at Mercer University, and several other schools and organizations in the community.

Established in honor of the late, great music artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and Macon native, Otis Redding, ORCA is a culmination of Redding’s and the Otis Redding Foundation’s commitment to giving back to their community and enriching young people through the arts. Education was extremely important to Mr. Redding. During his lifetime, he provided scholarships to students through the Otis Redding Scholarship Fund, financed local educational initiatives and hosted a summer camp for underserved youth on his 300 acre ranch. He had a vision of one day creating a place like ORCA. Since Redding’s untimely death in 1967, his widow and President / Founder of the Otis Redding Foundation, Zelma Redding, has managed the expansive Otis Redding estate and music catalogue, while continuing his charitable work through the foundation. Mrs. Redding has been at the helm of bringing their vision to fruition, even contributing the lead investment to the performing art center’s initial funding. On what building ORCA in their hometown means to her, Mrs. Redding says, “This is a dream that my husband and I shared. And being able to turn that dream into a reality with the help of my children, grandchildren, and all of those who support us, means more to me than words can express.”

The 15,000 square feet, state-of-the-art facility features seven creative labs, five private lesson rooms, an amphitheater, and the O3 Recording Studio, named after Otis Redding, III, who passed away in April, 2023. The famed Otis Redding Statue, which was once located in Gateway Park, will sit outside of ORCA at the corner of Cotton Avenue and Cherry Street just steps away from the Otis Redding Museum located at 339 Cotton Avenue.

ORCA’s opening activities begin on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Redding family, Mayor of Macon, Lester Miller, the Macon Chamber of Commerce, city council members, and other special invited guests. The public grand opening will be held Saturday, March 22nd. Following the grand opening, ORCA will host two of the Otis Redding Foundation’s signature programs, the Otis Music Camp (June 2 – 20, 2025) and Camp Dream (July 14 – 25, 2025).

ORCA is a testament to the enduring legacy of Otis Redding, who was not only one of the greatest musical artists that the world has ever known, but also a humanitarian and philanthropist who was passionate about empowering young people through education. Vice President / Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation, Karla Redding-Andrews, shares, “Education and giving back to the community were very important to my father. So we are honored and excited to be able to add another piece to his legacy and continue serving our community through the center.”

Recently, Otis Redding was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October, 2024. A biopic entitled Otis & Zelma, starring John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler, is currently in pre-production.

For more details on the Center and its upcoming programs, visit www.orcamacon.org. And stay connected to the Center on Instagram, @orcamacon.

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