Writer: Gabriela Enamorado
2 min read July 2023 — Last year, Palm Beach County’s tourism industry generated almost $10 billion to the local economy and 9.1 million total visitors, and there is no sign of a slow down in 2023. One of the driving factors to Palm Beach County’s tourism success are its arts and cultural offerings.
The arts and culture sector in the county generates around $633 million and over 14,000 jobs, according to the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. The sector attracts 3.9 million visitors annually.
From Jupiter to Boca Raton, the county offers art, live music, dance and history. For artists, there are many world-class museums and galleries to go to for inspiration. There are also various art districts across the county for creatives to explore, from Pineapple Grove Arts District in Delray Beach to the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District.
“Palm Beach County long recognized the power of arts and culture in enhancing the appeal of a place for visitors,” Irvin Lippman, executive director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art told Invest:. “Through valuable partnerships with key organizations such as the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Discover the Palm Beaches, and the Tourist Development Council, we actively contribute to enriching the vibrant fabric of our region.”
Other museums for art lovers in the region include Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, and for history buffs, there is the Flagler Museum and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. In regard to performing arts, the county offers a bevy of options including Ballet Palm Beach, Palm Beach DramaWorks and the Arts Garage in Delray Beach.
The local arts and culture institutions also continue to be beacons of change and education for the county’s youth. The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County states that, “Arts and cultural education is a conduit for change and has the power to transform lives.” In addition to committing to cultural education for all ages, the Council has partnered with local arts institutions, the School District of Palm Beach County and other organizations to help cultural education flourish through learning initiatives, advocacy, and family-friendly learning programs like their “Family Saturdays” program. This program is for families with children that allows them to experience artistic and cultural experiences together.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art also ensures that they remain accessible to students interested in the arts.
“One significant aspect of our approach is providing free access to the Museum for school groups,” said Lippman. “We provide free admission to all students, from grade school through college. Our ongoing program with the public schools align with their curriculum guidelines. We welcome thousands of students each year with the goal of sparking an appreciation for creativity and self-expression by integrating art into their education.”
The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is also working to make sure that historical education is accessible and interesting for the younger generation in an educational landscape that is now mostly STEM focused.
“History is tough because it’s not a STEM subject,” said Mary Csar, executive director of The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. “The schools are not prioritizing history. However, I think people do like history and understand its significance. We’re focusing on a lot of family events and family days. Children don’t always gravitate toward history, but if they’re with their family and able to interact with some activities, there are ways to help them understand what history is and why it’s important.”
For more information, visit:
https://www.palmbeachdramaworks.org/
