Mission

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Grace Arts Center's mission is to create and connect three distinct areas of general programming resulting in sustained cultural collaborations and revitalization of South Florida communities. Projects feature cultural exhibits (including visual art and film projects), theater performances and urban design engagements by leading regional Innovators to entertain, educate and extend services annually to communities with less access to the transforming impact of the arts. 
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The three (3) program area title projects are: A) Outsider Art Biannual Installations, COAT murals and the annual Street Art Regatta; B) annual Shakespeare's La Florida series (Shakespeare and other classical theater infused with Florida history) and Festival of Classics ('Shakespeare in the Park' inspired performances), and C) Urban Shade and Mobile Art Pavilion public art platforms featuring design exploring innovations in public space activation, resiliency and conservation.    

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Master Classes and teaching opportunities are planned each year by project participants. 

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History

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Grace Arts Center's (GAC) public charity (501.c3) status in 2011 provided a platform for GAC to formally '...take art beyond gallery walls' of the original art business that fostered free cultural programming in the community. GAC projects evolved from years of outreach of Grace Cafe and Galleries, a retail art gallery, studio, coffee bar & pop-up cafe owned by GAC's Founder and Creative Director. The ten thousand square foot 2-story historical building along Florida's Scenic Highway was restored in 2005 and sponsored Art Miami 2007 'Director's Choice' Artist exhibition for the late self-taught Painter, Purvis Young. This pivotal moment for the gallery and Young was the beginning of many relationships with artists and designers who visited the studio and cafe.

For over a decade GAC has sponsored outdoor festivals, after school arts programs, scholarships, downtown vibrancy initiatives, international design competitions and public art projects. Tango, ballet, folk, hip hop dancers, filmmakers, musical bands, singer/songwriters, theater groups, visual artists and architects created lasting collaborations and the foundation for a successful non-profit organization. Multidisciplinary non-profit arts programs developed in three areas: cultural exhibits (including painting, sculpture and film), performances (original theater productions and platforms for free public theater) and urban design.

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The separate gallery business still engages artists providing opportunities to invest time, talent and resources in art center programming that inspires excellence and demonstrates the innovative spirit of South Florida's leading Creatives.

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Inquire about participating in programs and projects, suggest ideas or consider volunteering or donating to Grace Arts Center, a registered, licensed public 501 (c) 3 Florida charity. 

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Contact us if you are considering the arts as a means to raise funds for your organization. 

Original Second Floor Gallery and Studio 05-14

Big Band Jazz Nights with Mike Norris Band 2012