History

Established by the City of Hollywood in 1975 as part of its Parks and Recreation Department, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood was incorporated in August 1978 as a private, non-profit, 501©(3) corporation. From its small, beachfront gallery, which was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 2, 1975, the Art and Culture Center found its niche in South Florida’s art scene by promoting contemporary, innovative artists and programs.

In 1991, the Art and Culture Center moved to the city-owned, historic (circa 1924) Kagey mansion in downtown Hollywood at 1650 Harrison St. The move allowed immediate expansion in display space, and also added classrooms for youth and adult arts education. After renovations, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood’s new home opened to the public on Feb. 2, 1992.

Also in the early ‘90s, the Art and Culture Center opened its Arts School, which is located in an adjacent building at 1626 Harrison St.

The Center redefined its mission in 1997 to offer performing arts on par with its visual arts programs. To that end, in 1999 the Art and Culture Center launched its free OceanDance event, which takes place annually on Hollywood Beach, and has featured such notable performers as Mikhail Baryshnikov and his White Oak Dance Project. In 2000, it took over the programming and management of the city’s Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, a 500-seat theater located at 1770 Monroe St. The next year, the Center launched its annual dance series.

Considered today one of just five Major Cultural Institutions in Broward County, the Art and Culture Center provides programming which impacts more than 50,000 South Florida residents and visitors annually. Its adult and children’s visual and performing arts education programs celebrate creativity and excellence, while its innovative and unique exhibitions, films and performances introduce fresh perspective to the arts.

The Art and Culture Center’s educational programming includes adult and children’s arts classes, after-school and outreach programs, camps, and other art curricula that meet Sunshine State Standards.

Committed to creating opportunities for all people to experience the visual and performing arts, the Center offers complimentary admission to its galleries on the third Sunday of most months (check schedule). On the same day, the Center hosts “Family Day” either at its galleries or at ArtsPark at Young Circle. During this event, children and their caregivers may participate in a fun, hands-on visual or performing arts activity.

Its outreach programs include arranging for critically acclaimed artistic directors/choreographers to present dance workshops at local schools, and, in conjunction with the Broward Education Communications Network, distance learning visual and performing arts classes for all Broward County students. The Center also provides music/drama/theater and visual arts programming for area schools.

For more information on the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, please call (954) 921-3274 or visit www.ArtAndCultureCenter.org.

Updated: 1/7/08