Coined as the "Most fun small town in the U.S.,” Delray Beach couldn't claim that title without our beloved Art & Cultural hubs. These cultural centers are the places that connect Delray Beach through live performances, gallery exhibitions, classes, and so much more…and will be even more valuable for connecting us as we emerge from this crisis. They provide entertainment for residents and visitors alike and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger. They preserve the architectural, memories, nature, and history of Delray Beach that we know and love with a bit of style and flair, maintaining our Authentically Vibrant Village by the Sea.
Now more than ever we need to help preserve these cultural centers, that are the essence of our unique Delray Beach vibe.
Arts Garage
https://artsgarage.org/
What they are all about: Arts Garage strives to connect our community (Delray Beach!) to the world through the Arts. Priding themselves on their diversity, the breadth of their programming provides a constantly refreshing atmosphere and delightful discoveries for attendees. Arts Garage is a community cultural hub where you can learn and experience the arts. We look forward to the return of their regularly scheduled concerts, theatre performances, visual art shows, and visual & performing art classes.
Virtual Programs: From our HeARTs to your homes - a video series to bring Arts Garage to you! Heartwarming performances and entertainment for the family while you have to stay home.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/user/DelrayArtsGarage/videos
How you can support them: Arts Garage asks you to participate in #givingtuesdaynow because Art & Music Matters! Donate here: https://artsgarage.org/donations
Arts Warehouse
https://artswarehouse.org/
What they are all about: Arts Warehouse is an Arts Incubator space for studio artists that also holds gallery exhibitions, visual art workshops, professional development opportunities, talks, and special events. With a few dozen Artists studios in the building the atmosphere is always buzzing with creativity and activity. The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency rehabilitated this warehouse in late 2017, creating this artist community that honors the history of Artist Alley - a buzzy vibrant place to find Art!
Virtual Programs: You can view the current Exhibition "Visual Voices" online here, make sure to scroll all the way down and watch the video! Arts Warehouse also participates the DDA Virtual First Friday Art Walks, find their virtual art walk tour here.
How you can support them: When Arts Warehouse reopens, they always love volunteers! If your interested read more here OR contact them directly if you would like to donate: https://artswarehouse.org/contact/#
What they are all about: A beautifully renovated historic school, Old School Square, serves as a cultural center of Delray Beach. With many different facets to their program and large scale events, Old School Square creates an easily approchable community atmosphere for enjoying the Arts in Downtown Delray Beach, with a range of programs including theatre, live music, art, and learning. Their campus includes: Crest Theatre - where you can view Plays, comedy and concerts, Cornell Museum - where fabulous Art Exhibtions by Local and National Artists take place, Old School Square Pavilion - where national acts & free live music events and the GreenMarket takes place, Creative Arts school - where the public can take classes in various forms of art (drawing, painting photography, etc.), and the Fieldhouse - where community events like the orchid show happen, as well as a space you can also rent for your own event! Old School Square acts as a historical gem and a destination for community culture.
What they are all about: The Delray Beach Historical Society, believing that a sense of history is fundamental to understanding human experiences, collects, preserves and shares materials from Delray Beach’s past, so that present and future generations can comprehend more fully their predecessors, their communities and themselves. The society encourages and assists people of all backgrounds and interests to learn more about Delray Beach’s diverse history.
Virtual Programs: While in person tours are suspended you can visit the Delray Beach Historical Society website for a plethora of Delray Beach history
http://delraybeachhistory.org/learn/
What they are all about: The Spady Museum’s mission is to expand, preserve and present the culturally diverse history of the black communities of Delray Beach. At Spady, there is a strong sense of community and bringing people together to educate and share the history of the area. Normally, the Museum runs a historical tour throughout Delray Beach. When you get a chance to visit the Museum you will find a vibrant gallery that rotates exhibits highlighting local culture, as well the Museum houses events like yoga and cooking classes that bring the community together while learning.
What they are all about: The Sandoway Discovery Center offers a glimpse into South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational exhibits and programs. Sandoway opened its doors in 1998 and quickly captivated the interest of students, teachers, naturalists, community leaders, visitors and residents of Delray Beach and surrounding communities. The unique facility offers hands-on learning experiences, which focus on Florida’s fragile ecosystems and their inhabitants. Meet sharks and other fish at the coral reef pool, explore Southeast Florida’s largest private shell collection and join us for special events such as Earth Day and beach clean-ups. The center’s library is a great resource to explore natural history and the environment. The observation deck, shell collection and native plant and butterfly garden also allow the visitor to learn about our unique coastal environment.
What they are all about: The Delray Beach Children's Garden was created to nurture eco-consciousness in children. We believe that given the opportunity to learn, play and explore in nature, children will grow up wanting to be environmental stewards. We also understand the positive impact a greenspace can have on a community.
From the start, the founding committee believed that a garden for children should include children in the design and build. Children have been an integral part of creating what the garden has to offer today, from serving as judges at our design charrette, to working as volunteers throughout the build. The land, leased to us from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, has been transformed into an eco-wonderland and thriving community garden and nature center through the support of countless volunteers and supporters.
Garden Features: Veggie Garden Labyrinth, Rare and Tropical Fruit Trees, Fish and Turtle pond, Twig Tunnel, Banana Forest, Well Wishes Healing Garden, Interactive weather and solar power stations, Adventure Boat, Dream Garden, Giant Storytelling Chair with a Treasure Chest Library, Shade Lounge, and the Simon Grass River Chickee Hut for classes, celebrations and gatherings.
