The Center receives Cultural Capital Fund Grant in a 7-0 unanimous vote for its commitment to shaping the future of cultural infrastructure in Boca Raton
Boca Raton, FL – June 4, 2024 – The Center for Arts & Innovation, a forthcoming globally revolutionary creativity and innovation hub in Boca Raton, announced today it has been awarded a Cultural Capital Fund Grant in a 7-0 unanimous vote by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, a partner agency of the Tourism Development Council, in the amount of
$865,000. The Cultural Capital Fund Grant is part of Palm Beach County’s commitment to supporting cultural infrastructure non-profit projects. Slated to break ground in Q1 of 2027, The Center is a visionary project spearheaded by the acclaimed Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW).
“As we forge ahead on our efforts to deliver a world-class creative campus in the heart of downtown Boca Raton, support from our governmental partners is of the utmost importance and a recognition we do not take lightly,” said Andrea Virgin, Chair and CEO of The Center. “It’s an honor to receive capital support from Palm Beach County and the Cultural Council. We are excited to share in our vision and pave the way for a brighter future for the region – and its residents, businesses, and institutions – together.”
“The Center for Arts & Innovation is an incredibly ambitious project that we are confident will have a lasting impact on our community,” said David Lawrence, CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. “From tapping a globally renowned architect as its designer and bringing together a team of incredibly talented professionals to lead the charge, The Center has already demonstrated remarkable efforts to elevate the cultural infrastructure in Boca Raton. We can’t wait to see this project come to life.”
Situated at the northern edge of Mizner Park, adjacent to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Center fulfills the long-envisioned cultural epicenter for Boca Raton’s downtown core. It aims to seamlessly integrate creativity and innovation across four key societal pillars: arts, education, business, and community. With its initial concept design by RPBW recently revealed in April, The Center will offer an ensemble of functional needs and multi-use spaces across three
stories, including indoor, outdoor and rooftop space.
As The Center embarks on its next significant phase of development, it also extends its deepest gratitude to all of its capital donors who have supported its mission through their transformative generosity including, but not limited to, the James & Marta Batmasian Family Foundation; Elizabeth H. Dudley; the Kent Jordan Family; the Schmidt Family Foundation; The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation; and Andrea Virgin (in remembrance of Thomas J. Virgin).
About The Center for Arts & Innovation
Conceptually announced in 2018, The Center for Arts and Innovation is a non-profit with a mission to build and operate an innovative, vital, and flexible cultural campus that transcends function to enable creativity with no boundaries. The Center can curate experiences either indoors or out, public or private, free or ticketed, for the young or old, student or professional, entrepreneur or established business, from all walks of life, either day or night, weekday or weekend, and all year long – The Center is truly a center for all.
About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council also features work by Palm Beach County-based professional artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store and offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center. The Council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive
calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.
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