When the Cultural Council (then known as the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts) was first formed in 1978, one person was selected as its founding executive director: Judy Goodman. During her tenure, she conducted the Community Needs for Facilities survey, which led to the campaign to build the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and was instrumental in the passing of the Tourist Development Tax Campaign for the Arts, which has provided nearly $100 million in arts and culture grants to date from bed tax revenue. Goodman also served as the Council’s 4th board chair from 1981 to 1982, and remains a donor and advocate. In addition to her work with the Council, Goodman served on the Kravis Center’s board for 17 years and is currently a Life Trustee.

 

She is a director of the Palm Beach Civic Association, the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and a former director for Palm Beach County Medical Society Services.  She served as co-chair of the successful referendum to reauthorize the Children’s Services Council in 2014. Goodman is also Distinguished Trustee and former chairman of the South Florida Fair, and named to its Hall of Fame. She and her husband, J. John Goodman, M.D., are major donors at Scripps Florida, Society 1919 donors at Palm Beach Medical Society Services; Kravis Founders; and a media room at Boston Latin School and conference room at the University of Vermont Medical School are named for the couple.

 

Today, Judy Goodman is an attorney and teaches healthcare law at Florida Atlantic University in the College of Business. A writer, former broadcast editorialist, and television talk show host, Goodman started her career as a fashion illustrator and radio announcer before landing her first job at Harry N. Abrams, the art book publishing house.

 

“Clearly, Judy Goodman’s work over the past 40 years has had a tremendous impact on the cultural life of all residents of Palm Beach County,” said Judith A. Mitchell, CEO of the Kravis Center.

 

It is because of this strong commitment to the arts and this community, that Goodman was honored at the 2018 Muse Awards with the Legacy Award – Individual.