As a 26-year-old who’s witnessed how hard it can be for artists to find affordable spaces and genuine support, I’m impressed by what Delray Beach’s non-profit organizations are doing. This isn’t just another beach town with galleries – it’s a place where people are building the foundations of a creative community from the ground up.
The Downtown area of Delray Beach (aka. Village by the Sea) has a number of innovative non-profit Cultural Arts Centers that bring unique art, cultural, historic and educational experiences to the whole community. These include Arts Garage, Arts Warehouse, the Cornell Art Museum, the Delray Beach Public Library, Creative Arts School, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, and the Delray Beach Historical Society.
As someone building an artistic career, I can’t overstate how important these resources are. The combination of affordable workshops, exhibition spaces, artist residencies, and community programming creates an environment where young artists can develop their practice without massive debt.
Arts Garage: Where Community Meets Culture
Arts Garage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing a multi-media arts venue that presents Grammy award-winning musicians, open mic nights, comedy, theatre, arts education and outreach programs, and a spacious visual art gallery that displays emerging local talent.
The Marshall Family Foundation Gallery at Arts Garage is leading the way in cultivating emerging regional artists by offering them display spaces to promote their artwork. From Grammy Award-winning musicians to emerging local artists, they host performers representing a broad diversity of cultures across Jazz, Blues, Rock, Soul, World, Alternative, Hip-Hop, and Country.
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With both adult and children’s arts education programming, Arts Garage provides opportunities for locals to grow their talents and knowledge of the visual and performing arts. Their comedy nights and open mic sessions have incredible energy that builds real community. artsgarage.org
Arts Warehouse: The Creative Incubator
Arts Warehouse provides spaces with a supportive environment for artists to grow their businesses. The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency rehabilitated this 15,000 sq. ft. building in the Pineapple Grove district, opening in late 2017 as an arts incubator. What used to be a warehouse for car collection is now a hub for budding artists, offering rotating art exhibitions in three gallery spaces, art workshops, and special events programming.
Their comprehensive approach to artist development includes artist residencies, arts education, community-based projects, and exhibitions focused on contemporary art. The workshop programs consist of multi-day sessions costing up to $360 with materials provided, covering everything from screen-printing to abstract expressionism. artswarehouse.org
Cornell Art Museum: Where History Meets Innovation
The Cornell Art Museum is located in the restored 1913 Delray Elementary School building on the historic Old School Square campus. This contemporary art museum is dedicated to showing original, innovative work.
Offering free admission, the museum showcases rotating arrays of curated works. Recent immersive installations where “you walk in and you’re part of the art” bring contemporary practices right to our community. delrayoldschoolsquare.com/cornell
Creative Arts School: Building the Next Generation
The Creative Arts School at Old School Square is a cornerstone of cultural enrichment and artistic expression. After extensive renovations, they reopened in 2024 offering beginner through master level classes for all ages in drawing, painting, watercolor, pastel, collage, mixed media, photography, and creative writing.
For the local artist community, the Creative Arts School is a resource offering a supportive environment where artists can hone skills, share work, and connect. Through workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects, they provide opportunities for professional development and creative growth. delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/creative-arts-school/workshops
Delray Beach Public Library: The Hidden Arts Gem
The Delray Beach Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing
a gallery space hosting rotating exhibitions celebrating community creativity. Each exhibition runs for two months. The library assists in publicizing through local press and social media, helping artists gain visibility.
They also offer a state-of-the-art recording studio for people to create audio stories, record songs, and narrate books. Also, there are innovative programs including Robotics and 3D printing. delraylibrary.org
Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
The Spady House is a community hub for the Northwest Settlers’ Historical District. For more than 25 years, through exhibitions, programs, and events, it has been a place to learn about the history and diverse culture of the Delray area.
The main gallery showcases the Spady archives, which consist of original contemporary artwork, personal collections, and digital oral histories. The Williams Cottage displays historical and modern shows highlighting people who influenced Delray Beach.
The Spady House has been renovated and preserved as an architectural work of art, reflective of 1920s style. It was the home of Black educator and activist Solomon D. Spady, and will be 100 years old in 2026. The museum holds fundraisers to ensure that the house will stand well into the future. spadymuseum.org
The Delray Beach Historical Society
Honoring our Past, inspiring our future, the Society was founded in 1964. This vibrant center brings together families and multiple generations to experience local history. Their one-acre downtown campus features three historic cottages and a Florida-native heritage garden created in 2017 to address dwindling green space, while teaching local history through nature.
The society offers educational opportunities that celebrate who we are as a community. delraybeachhistory.org
Pineapple Grove Arts
The area features galleries, artist studios, and established artists like internationally acclaimed Jeff Whyman, whose marine-inspired ceramic art, paintings, and steel sculptures are seen throughout Delray Beach.
The monthly First Friday Art Walk connects all these spaces —Arts Garage, Arts Warehouse, Cornell Art Museum, and dozens of galleries —into one cohesive community experience that creates incredible nights of artistic exploration. downtowndelraybeach.com/pineapplegroveartsdistrict
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