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Location Information:
Gainesville is a city in Alachua
County, Florida, United States. It
is the county seat and the largest
city in Alachua County. Gainesville
is also home to the University of
Florida, which is one of the largest
universities in the United States.
Santa Fe College is also located in
Gainesville.
The
University of Florida estimated a
2008 population of 124,491 The
Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA), which
includes Alachua and Gilchrist
counties, has a population of
258,555, according to 2008 Census
Bureau estimates. The Gainesville
MSA was ranked as the #1 place to
live in the 2007 edition of Cities
Ranked and Rated. Gainesville was
also ranked as one of the "best
places to live and play" in 2007 by
National Geographic Adventure.
Gainesville is also known as a
supporter of the visual arts. Each
year, two large art festivals
attract artists and visitors from
all over the southeastern United
States. The Spring Arts Festival is
hosted each year, usually in early
April, by Santa Fe College (formerly
Santa Fe Community College). The
Downtown Festival and Art Show is
hosted each fall by the City of
Gainesville.
Cultural facilities include the
Florida Museum of Natural History,
Harn Museum of Art, the Hippodrome
State Theatre, Curtis M. Phillips
Center for the Performing Arts, and
The Civic Media Center. Smaller
theaters include the Acrosstown
Repertory Theatre (ART) and the
Gainesville Community Playhouse (GCP).
GCP is the oldest community theater
group in Florida; in 2006, it
christened a new theater building.
The
presence of a major university
enhances the city's opportunities
for cultural lifestyles. The
University of Florida College of
Fine Arts is the umbrella college
for the School of Music, School of
Theatre and Dance, School of Art and
Art History, and a number of other
programs and centers including The
University Galleries, the Center for
World Art, and Digital Worlds.
Collectively, the College offers
many performance events and
artist/lecture opportunities for
students and the greater Gainesville
community, the majority of which are
offered at little or no cost.
Local
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