Art Appreciation
Things to See & Do in Florida
Pensacola Museum of Art
The mission of the Pensacola Museum of Art is to be a bridge to the visual arts for the diverse populations of Pensacola and the surrounding communities by providing an array of stimulating exhibitions within our historic building. The primary focus of the PMA Permanent Collection is to acquire and preserve works of art from the 20th and 21st century, with an emphasis on modern and contemporary art including painting, sculpture, and works on paper. The collection includes works by noted artists: John Marin, Salvador Dali, Miriam Scharpiro, Fairfield Porter, Thomas Hart Benton, Alex Katz, Lynda Benglis, Milton Avery and Alexander Calder. Additionally, the Museum has superb decorative art collections of European and American glass and African tribal art.
LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts
LeMoyne is a center for the visual arts that provides fine art exhibitions, year round art classes, and special art-related cultural events for the citizens of Tallahassee and surrounding area. The LeMoyne exhibition space is located in a National Register property with adjoining facilities housing art classrooms and a Gift and Art Supply shop. All facilities are located three blocks from the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. As many as three hundred artists per year show their work at LeMoyne, and art education classes for both children and adults are offered year round. Special events include the annual Holiday Show in December and the annual Chain of Parks Art Festival in the spring. The Helen Lind Sculpture Garden is located to the rear of the LeMoyne gallery, an excellent setting for LeMoyne's permanent sculpture collection. A delight in any season of the year, the gardens provide the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or a bird-watching picnic lunch for downtown workers.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
With more than 6,000 objects in its permanent collection, The Cummer is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. The museum is home to a highly regarded collection of European masters and American impressionists, a world-renowned collection of 18th century Meissen porcelain, and more than two-and-one half acres of historic gardens along the St. Johns River. Art Connections, the museum's nationally recognized education center, provides hands-on art experiences for visitors of all ages. The Cummer's unique blend of art, gardens, and education inspires imagination and excitement making the museum the premier cultural institution in the Southeast region.
Museum of Arts and Sciences
The Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) is the primary art, history and science museum in Central Florida. Located on a 90-acre Florida nature preserve, the 86,000 square foot facility is host to over 30,000 objects including the finest collection of American Art in the southeast, the largest collection of Cuban art outside of Cuba, a significant Chinese art collection, and Florida's prehistoric Giant Ground Sloth. Also on display, is Coca-Cola entrepreneur Chapman Root’s lifetime collection of Americana, including two private rail cars. The museum’s theater, planetarium, and children’s center make for a truly interactive experience.
Osceola Center for the Arts
The Mission of The Osceola Center for the Arts is to promote, cultivate, foster interest and participation in the arts by providing affordable and accessible programs and facilities that encourage artistic expression in the diverse community they serve.
Lightner Museum
Relics of America's Gilded Age are elegantly exhibited on the museum's three floors. Costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments and other artifacts give you a glimpse into 19th century daily life. The Lightner collection includes beautiful examples of cut glass, Victorian art glass and the stained glass work of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Orlando Museum of Art
Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is a 501(c)(3) educational institution whose mission reflects the continued growth of Florida, ardent community support for the arts and the OMA’s role as a leading cultural institution in the region. Since its inception, the Museum’s purpose has been to enrich the cultural life of Florida by providing excellence in the visual arts. To meet this objective, the Museum has dedicated itself to collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of art; to presenting exhibitions of local, regional, national and international significance; to developing first-rate educational programs; and to presenting creative and inclusive programs to reach every segment of a diverse community. Annually, the Museum presents 10-12 exhibitions on-site and 13 exhibitions off-site, award-winning art enrichment programs, unlimited gallery tours, teacher in-service training programs, video programs, distinguished lectures, art appreciation lectures, studio classes, lecture/luncheon programs and outreach services in its facility and through outreach services.
African American Museum of the Arts
The African American Museum of the Arts is a not for profit arts facility dedicated to providing artistic excellence that reflects primarily the culture of African Americans and Caribbean Americans and providing opportunity in the fields of visual, literary and performing arts while encouraging interaction with community members through on-site and outreach exhibitions, presentations and performances.
Thomas Center Galleries
The Thomas Center Galleries features exhibitions that highlight the highest quality of work by local, regional, national and emerging artists. Special events, lectures, symposiums and workshops are offered throughout the season.
Vero Beach Museum of Art
The Vero Beach Museum of Art provides cultural leadership and enrichment for the public through a wide variety of educational, studio art and humanities programs; a diversity of quality exhibitions; and the collection, preservation and presentation of important American and international works of art.
Polk Museum of Art
With eight galleries and a sculpture garden, visitors are sure to find something they like on exhibit at Polk Museum of Art. The rotating exhibition schedule offers a diverse array of visual options, from African or Asian art to contemporary art by national or regional artists. Downstairs, visitors enter into the Hollis Gallery. Major touring or Museum organized exhibitions will be found in the two large main galleries: the Dorothy Jenkins Gallery and the Emily S. Macey Gallery. Pre-Columbian works can be found on permanent display in the Taxdal Pre-Columbian Gallery, and artwork by elementary through high school students will be found in the George Jenkins Student Gallery. As you travel to the elevator or stairs, browse through the Perkins Gallery where you will often find one-person exhibitions on display. Upstairs galleries offer a more intimate venue for viewing art. The Ledger and Murray galleries are often combined to showcase rotating exhibitions of works from the Permanent Collection. In the Marks Gallery, you will find works from the Student Collection.
Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science
The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is a world-class educational and cultural organization that incorporates hands-on science activities with visual art exhibits that teach as well as entertain. The mission of The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is to stimulate interest in, and understanding of, how visual arts, sciences, mathematics, and technology connect through exploration and discovery experiences that educate and inspire. The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science serves the families, children, and students that explore the galleries, attend camp programs and line-up to experience special events and exciting exhibits with meaningful art and science exploration.
Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Gallery has a national reputation for quality exhibitions, a strong contemporary collection, plus noteworthy publications and events such as workshops and visiting artists. The exhibition schedule is also part of the college's Lyceum Series, a program of cultural offerings that also features music, dance, and drama. All exhibitions are open to the public free of charge. Located at Pensacola Junior College in Pensacola, FL.
Duncan Gallery of Art
Stetson`s Duncan Gallery of Art provides first-hand access to important new artwork. The gallery is a professional venue for students to show their work during the annual juried student art competition and the Senior Thesis Exhibition.
Morse Museum of American Art
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses the world's most comprehensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) including Tiffany jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows, lamps, and the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Museum's holdings include a major collection of American art pottery and representative collections of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century American paintings, graphics, and decorative arts.
University Galleries at University of Florida
The University Galleries are comprised of the University Gallery, which features contemporary visual arts exhibitions, the Focus Gallery, which showcases faculty, alumni, and student work, and the Grinter Gallery, which presents multicultural exhibitions.
Mount Dora Center for the Arts
Since 1985, as an outgrowth of the Mount Dora Arts Festival, the Mount Dora Center for the Arts has provided quality art experiences in the Lake County region of Central Florida. The Center maintains a year-round calendar of arts-related events and activities. The Center has ongoing Arts Education programs, day and evening, for all ages in visual and performing arts.
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is one of the Southeast’s largest contemporary art institutions, dedicated to presenting innovative exhibitions by the finest international, national and regional artists. MOCA Jacksonville, which opened its doors on Hemming Plaza in 2003, is a cornerstone of downtown revitalization. The Museum is housed in the renovated historic Western Union Telegraph Building, a six floor building, which houses five changing exhibition galleries, permanent collection galleries, ArtExplorum Loft children’s interactive center, education studios, auditorium, Café Nola @ MOCA, Museum Shop, and our light filled Atrium Gallery.
Harn Museum of Art
The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art promotes the power of the arts to inspire and educate people and enrich their lives. To this purpose the museum builds and maintains exemplary art collections and produces a wide variety of challenging, innovative exhibitions and stimulating educational programs. As an integral part of the University of Florida, the museum advances teaching and research and serves as a catalyst for creative engagement between the university and diverse local, state, national and international audiences.
Museum of Fine Arts at Florida State University
The mission of the Museum is twofold: to enrich the university and the community by exhibiting works of art which expand the understanding of art today and of the past and to serve as a teaching instrument for art instruction, particularly by holding exhibitions of informational value to students and the general public and by providing student artists with an arena to exhibit their work. MoFA has a history of exciting projects—from lush painting to dynamic sculpture exhibitions, from challenging installations to provocative photography shows. Every season begins with an international competitive exhibition that embraces all media and every semester closes with the youth and exuberance of the graduating artist exhibitions.
Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Okaloosa-Walton College
The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries consist of two adjoined galleries which together showcase about 20 different international, national and regional exhibitions each year. The Galleries also host workshops and lectures related to the exhibitions.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Rollins College’s Cornell Fine Arts Museum is one of America's finest college art museums. The permanent collection is comprised of works of art and objects from antiquity to the twenty first century. The galleries are dedicated to educating, enriching and engaging students and the public through exhibitions of the highest quality. Originally conceived exhibitions are interspersed with the permanent collection on a revolving basis.
Brevard Art Museum
A center of creativity, the Museum collects, displays and interprets all aspects of the visual arts, particularly women artists, in ways that relate to the past, to the present, and to the future.
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
Founded in 1994, The Cultural Center, a 501(c)3 non profit organization located in Ponte Vedra Beach, provides a place for everyone in the community to create, understand and experience the arts.
Explorations V Children's Museum
The mission of Explorations V Children's Museum is to provide a hands-on, fun-fillled adventure in learning for children and their families. There are three floors of mind-stretching, kid-powered exhibits featuring art, science, literature, math, health, life skills and cultures from around the world. Surprise your five senses on a “please touch” jet-stream journey of discovery at Explorations V Children’s Museum.
Appleton Museum of Art of Central Florida Community College
The Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, Florida is one of the South's premier art repositories and education centers. Originally built to display and preserve the collection of Arthur I. Appleton, the museum has expanded to include traveling exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events.
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens
The Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens features an art museum, war memorial, and botanic gardens.
South Florida Community College Museum of Florida Art and Culture
The Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) is dedicated to the artists of whose work is an interpretation of Florida's history, heritage or environment. Our mission is to present and preserve that history, heritage, and unique environment with art.
Anita S. Wooten Gallery at Valencia Community College East Campus
The Anita S. Wooten Gallery is a teaching gallery dedicated to enhancing student understanding and appreciation of art and providing both students and the extended community exposure to a diverse agenda of visual art forms from regional artists. Exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Southeast Museum of Photography
The Southeast Museum of Photography exhibits, collects, preserves, and interprets photography to facilitate teaching and learning at Daytona State College, and enhances the community's understanding and appreciation of culture, history, art and photography.
Highlands Museum of the Arts
The mission of the Highlands Museum of the Arts is to promote art appreciation and art education for people of all ages. From art festivals to gallery receptions, student scholarships and art classes, the Highlands Art League offers a myriad of ways to get involved in the arts. Art Exhibits, Art workshops, bus trips, and Art classes for children are offered throughout the year.
Atlantic Center for the Arts
Atlantic Center for the Arts is a nonprofit interdisciplinary artists-in-residence community and arts education facility dedicated to promoting artistic excellence. Talented artists are provided an opportunity to work and collaborate with some of the world's most distinguished contemporary artist in the fields of composing, and visual, literary and performing arts. Community interaction is coordinated through on-site and outreach presentations, workshops and exhibitions.
Crealde School of Art
Founded in 1975, Crealdé was the brainchild of late Winter Park businessman William S. Jenkins. Today this successful not-for-profit community arts center offers a year-round curriculum of more than 80 affordable classes in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and ceramics for adults and children. Its faculty is comprised of more than 40 professional working artists who teach beginning, intermediate and advanced classes. Facilities include a professional dark room, ceramics studio, foundry, two galleries and sculpture garden.
University of Central Florida Art Gallery
The Gallery is located in the Visual Arts Building. Free guided tours are available for groups, classes, and other organizations. The University of Central Florida UCF Art Gallery, located at a major metropolitan research university, exists to expand the understanding of art by serving as a teaching instrument for the benefit of the University and the Central Florida community. This is achieved by exhibiting works of art, maintaining and nurturing a permanent collection, and providing educational outreach programs for students and the general public. In selecting exhibitions, the Gallery considers all periods of art which reflect a diverse range of cultures, philosophies, and media. The UCF Art Gallery strives to exhibit nationally and internationally recognized artwork that supports the goals of the University while contributing to the cultural vitality of our region.
Maitland Art Center
The Maitland Art Center was founded as an art colony (called the Research Studio) in 1938 by visionary American artist and architect André Smith (1880-1959). This tradition continues at MAC today, with gallery exhibitions, resident artists (Artists-in-Action), a strong curriculum of art instruction in an intimate atmosphere, and community programming. Visit this historic, aesthetic gem set in the middle of busy, growing Central Florida.
Museum of Florida Art
The Museum of Florida Art offers exhibitions, education programs, and outreach to engage children, youth, adults, seniors and families in the experience of the visual arts.
Teaching Tips & Ideas
Masterpiece Art Instruction
Masterpiece Art Instruction offers a free newsletter, "Teach Art at Home," along with free projects and lessons, art instruction CDs, and more
How I Teach a Large Family in a Relaxed, Classical Way: Fine Arts
Ideas for incorporating fine art education into a large homeschool family curriculum.
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