Journalist
Matthew J. Palm
Matthew J. Palm has watched hundreds of plays, ballets, symphony concerts, operas and other staged shows since first seeing "Les Miserables" as a teenager in Upstate New York. A graduate of Syracuse University, he is the Orlando Sentinel's arts writer and theater critic.
All Stories
![Chase Padgett, whose "6 Guitars" debuted at Orlando Fringe, performs during a celebration of World Fringe Day at Orlando Family Stage on July 11. At the event, arts leaders and advocates called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to support a reinstatement of arts funding in the state budget. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) Chase Padgett, whose "6 Guitars" debuted at Orlando Fringe, performs during a celebration of World Fringe Day at Orlando Family Stage on July 11. At the event, arts leaders and advocates called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to support a reinstatement of arts funding in the state budget. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tos-l-world-fringe-day0204_deee11.jpg?w=140)
Fringe festivals to DeSantis: We’ll give money back if you fund other arts groups
Orlando and Tampa Fringe festivals challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis: Restore funding to the state's arts groups and they'll give their money back.
![In 2021, then-director Aaron De Groft gives a tour of the Orlando Museum of Art's refurbished galleries -- one of his accomplishments he says is now forgotten. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) In 2021, then-director Aaron De Groft gives a tour of the Orlando Museum of Art's refurbished galleries -- one of his accomplishments he says is now forgotten. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/aaron-de-groft-1.jpg?w=140)
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Fired Orlando Museum of Art director answers email, FedEx label, forgery claims
Aaron De Groft, the fired Orlando Museum of Art director, spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about his countersuit against the institution.
![At her South Florida stops, the singer announced Monday, 2,000 copies of four books that have been banned by various public schools will be given away in partnership with PEN America and Books & Books, a bookseller founded in 1982 by Miami Beach native Mitchell Kaplan. At her South Florida stops, the singer announced Monday, 2,000 copies of four books that have been banned by various public schools will be given away in partnership with PEN America and Books & Books, a bookseller founded in 1982 by Miami Beach native Mitchell Kaplan.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pink.jpg?w=132)
Singer P!nk gives away banned books at South Florida concerts
At her South Florida stops, the singer announced Monday, 2,000 copies of four books that have been banned by various public schools will be given away in partnership with PEN...
![Banners advertising the "Heroes & Monsters" exhibit hang on the Orlando Museum of Art in March 2022. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel file photo) Banners advertising the "Heroes & Monsters" exhibit hang on the Orlando Museum of Art in March 2022. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel file photo)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/basquiat-banners.jpg?w=133)
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Orlando Museum of Art, defendants negotiating lawsuit settlement
Court documents show Orlando Museum of Art is negotiating a possible settlement with its ex-director and owners of the Heroes & Monster art.
![The Orlando Museum of Art has filed a lawsuit against its former director and others it says committed fraud against the museum over the so-called Basquiat artworks later seized by the FBI. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) The Orlando Museum of Art has filed a lawsuit against its former director and others it says committed fraud against the museum over the so-called Basquiat artworks later seized by the FBI. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Orlando-Museum-of-Art.jpg?w=135)
Orlando art museum sues former director with William & Mary ties over faked ‘Basquiat’ art
Orlando Museum of Art has sued its former director, William & Mary alum Aaron De Groft, as well as others who were instrumental in bringing the now disgraced “Heroes &...
!["Inspiration Orlando United," a mural created by Michael Pilato, Yuriy Karabash and Chimene Hurst to honor the 49 killed at Pulse nightclub in 2016 and the community's response, will be on display at Orlando Museum of Art. (Courtesy Michael Pilato via Orlando Museum of Art) "Inspiration Orlando United," a mural created by Michael Pilato, Yuriy Karabash and Chimene Hurst to honor the 49 killed at Pulse nightclub in 2016 and the community's response, will be on display at Orlando Museum of Art. (Courtesy Michael Pilato via Orlando Museum of Art)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TOS-os-mural-4-OS0130476081.jpg?w=140)
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Remembering Pulse: ‘Living mural’ tells stories of victims, survivors, caregivers
A mural that tells stories of those affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting of 2016 will be on view three days at Orlando Museum of Art.
![A bill punishing venues if children attend shows deemed "adult live entertainment" have theaters wary and critics questioning whether the legislation will harm artistic freedom and step on parents' rights. A bill punishing venues if children attend shows deemed "adult live entertainment" have theaters wary and critics questioning whether the legislation will harm artistic freedom and step on parents' rights.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/57H4MODQ35GQLPM55ZMDJIYUD4.jpg?w=111)
Florida theaters keep watchful eye on Legislature’s drag drama
A bill punishing venues if children attend shows deemed "adult live entertainment" have theaters wary and critics questioning whether the legislation will harm artistic freedom and step on parents' rights.
![John Cusack heading to 32nd Florida Film Festival John Cusack heading to 32nd Florida Film Festival](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/03/26/2EC2YVIVIBC5RATGJWIKBMXHFI.jpg?w=135)
John Cusack heading to 32nd Florida Film Festival
John Cusack will make a special appearance at this year's Florida Film Festival, answering audience questions after a screening of his 1980s hit "Say Anything." The Enzian's annual festival, which...
![At Rollins Museum of Art, an authentic Basquiat and so much more At Rollins Museum of Art, an authentic Basquiat and so much more](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/07/13/LN2QPEB2URFGLC4G44MIJ6SN4M.jpg?w=135)
At Rollins Museum of Art, an authentic Basquiat and so much more
While Central Florida arts fans follow the saga of the purported Basquiats carried out of Orlando Museum of Art by the FBI, there's an authenticated work by the artist on...
![FBI incauta exhibición en disputa de Basquiat en el Museo de Arte de Orlando FBI incauta exhibición en disputa de Basquiat en el Museo de Arte de Orlando](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/06/24/D42RSC3DPBF4FFPMV4O4MJMEA4.jpg?w=135)
FBI incauta exhibición en disputa de Basquiat en el Museo de Arte de Orlando
El FBI allanó el Museo de Arte de Orlando el viernes y confiscó más de dos docenas de pinturas atribuidas al aclamado artista Jean-Michel Basquiat, casi un año después de...