Academy Award-winning inventor, photographer, avid supporter of the arts, and founder of the Cultural Council Alexander W. Dreyfoos passed away on May 28, 2023. The arts and cultural sector of Palm Beach County is forever indebted to Mr. Dreyfoos for his decades of innovation, dedication, and philanthropy.
The Cultural Council for Palm County’s board of directors and staff are truly saddened by this loss, and our hearts are with Mr. Dreyfoos’ family and especially his wife, Renate, during this difficult time.
Mr. Dreyfoos founded the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts in 1978 with a goal to create a calendar of local arts events that he could provide to prospective employees of his growing electronics company. He served as the first chairman of the Council’s board of directors from 1978 to 1980, with Judy Goodman serving as first executive director.
Dave Lawrence, the Council’s current president and CEO, praised Mr. Dreyfoos’ contributions in a quote for Palm Beach ArtsPaper: “Alexander W. Dreyfoos was a visionary. He was profoundly creative, forward-thinking, and saw the value and potential of supporting arts and culture in Palm Beach County. Since its founding 45 years ago, the Cultural Council’s efforts helped pave the way for the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, voter approval of the Tourist Development Tax Campaign for the Arts and passage of a $50 million bond issue for cultural and recreational facilities. All of this would never have happened without Mr. Dreyfoos.”
