History & Mission

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County was founded in 1978 through the vision and leadership of Alexander W. Dreyfoos, an inventor, successful business owner and community activist, who believed in the value of arts and culture enhancing and sustaining strong economic and societal growth.

Now in its fourth decade, the Council has evolved to be a strong, multi-faceted local arts advocate with priorities that include providing grants to cultural organizations and professional artists, developing and advocating for cultural funding, enhancing arts education, providing services that build capacity and marketing the county as a destination for cultural tourism.

The Council is a private, non-profit, membership-based corporation. As The Palm Beaches' officially designated agency for cultural development, the Council leads the way in nurturing, promoting and celebrating the artistic and cultural community in one of Florida's largest and most diverse counties. In this leadership role, the Council administers a portion of local tourist development funds under contract with Palm Beach County government. It is also innovative and influential in creating additional funding for cultural programs, organizations and professional artists.

From its beginning, the Council has committed its energies and resources to being a catalyst for the establishment of new cultural institutions, enhancing existing organizations and encouraging opportunities for individual professional artists. From helping set the stage for the creation of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Armory Art Center and the Center for Creative Education, to regularly assisting small, grassroots organizations through grant programs, technical support and capacity-building initiatives, the Council is focused on developing and maintaining a thriving arts and cultural environment in The Palm Beaches.

As the Council has matured it has become a motivating force on a regional and national basis, providing support and leadership to similar agencies and programs and taking an active role in national dialogue and policies.