Arts & Cultural Education Fund

With support of the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, the Cultural Council established the Arts & Cultural Education Fund in 2024 to support arts and cultural education and enrichment programs in Palm Beach County.

To date, the Fund has supported 32 cultural organizations, helping provide arts education and enrichment opportunities that have served 166,000 students and families through a variety of programs—from learning an instrument and developing artistic skills to experiencing performances, exhibitions, and other cultural events.

Here are five ways cultural organizations specifically utilized their grant dollars to support arts in education programming:

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Support from the Arts & Cultural Education Fund was instrumental in enabling Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens to deliver meaningful, high-quality arts education experiences to 2,000 sixth grade students through guided field trips that wove together observation, critical thinking, and creative expression in a truly unique setting.

This funding ensured that these transformative experiences were accessible to local students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with original monumental sculptures in a living botanical setting, and the program aligned closely with classroom learning objectives, strengthening its relevance and impact for both students and teachers. The response from students, teachers, and school partners has been enthusiastic, and the program has reinforced the belief in the power of place-based arts education.

Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts
With support from the Fund, Benzaiten provided more than 65 free classes, workshops, demonstrations, and educational tours, serving over 1,500 underserved children and seniors. Participants engaged in hands-on experiences in glass blowing, sandcasting, fusing, and metal working while working directly with professional artists. These opportunities allowed participants to explore their creativity, learn new artistic skills, and gain a greater appreciation for the visual arts.

The funding helped remove financial barriers that often prevent participation in arts education programs. As a result, Benzaiten reached children and teens from schools, summer camps, nonprofit organizations, and programs serving individuals with disabilities, as well as seniors who benefited from guided tours and live glass-blowing demonstrations.

Historical Society of Palm Beach County
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County used the Arts & Cultural Education Fund to provide curriculum based educational field trips for fourth grade students throughout Palm Beach County. Aligned with Florida State Standards and the School District of Palm Beach County’s fourth grade social studies curriculum, the program introduced students to Florida and Palm Beach County history through guided tours of the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum and the historic 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse.

By offsetting transportation expenses, the grant removed one of the greatest barriers preventing many schools, particularly Title I schools, from participating.

Kravis Center for Performing Arts
In partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC), the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts conducted two years of Curtain Up for 5th Grade!, a program that provided enriching and diverse performing arts experiences to more than 25,000 fifth grader students in the district.

The Curtain Up for 5th Grade! series introduced students to excellent live theater and musical productions performed by professional artists. Students traveled to the Kravis Center during the school day to enjoy an interactive performance, foster cultural appreciation, ignite creativity, and inspire artistic expression.

Palm Beach Opera
Palm Beach Opera sustained and enhanced its Opera Immersion Program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, serving nearly 300 children through residencies that support social and creative development.

The goal of Palm Beach Opera’s arts education programs is to serve youth and community members who face barriers to high-quality artistic experiences. For the Opera Immersion Program in partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County, this objective translates to delivering free arts education programming where participants do not simply attend but fully engage with the interactive skill-building and performance-based curriculum. This immersive artistic initiative helps develop the social and creative skills necessary for success.

The application window for the next round of funding for the Arts & Education Grant opens November 6, 2026.