Vero Beach Museum of Art

The Vero Beach Museum of Art is the primary cultural arts facility of its type located on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The nationally accredited museum is set on seven acres of Riverside Park on the Indian River Lagoon. The museum provides learning and cultural enrichment opportunities through seminars, lectures, special events, exhibitions, and permanent collections. The emphasis of the pieces in the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s permanent collection focuses on American and Floridian artists.

The recently renovated and expanded space is more than 55,00 square feet, dedicated to six separate art galleries, two sculpture gardens, and an educational wing. The educational wing houses seven studio-style classrooms, seminar rooms, an auditorium with seating for 250, and an interactive kids’ space. Also part of the facility are a museum store, café, and spaces dedicated to public programs and art installations.

More than 150 accredited classes each year are offered in conjunction with Indian River Community College, making it the biggest school within a museum in Florida. The Florida Arts Council, the Florida Department of State and the State of Florida partly sponsor programs. The museum is part of the Cultural Council of Indian River County and is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The permanent collection contains works from the early 20th century through the present in different media types. There are more than 880 permanent pieces, focusing primarily on American art, but there’s also a growing collection of international and contemporary pieces.

The Vero Beach Art Museum has programming that draws in tens of thousands of people each year, including an International Lecture Series and the Children’s Art Festival. The International Lecture Series has been running for more than 42 seasons. The Children’s Art Festival is an annual family-friendly event that includes art-making activities in the studios at the Museum Art School and music and dance performances from local groups. Holidays at the Museum happen in December, including docent-led tours, an art hunt with prizes, local performances, and Museum Art School Studios activities. The Chamber Music Series with the Atlanta Classical Orchestra takes place in the Museum’s Leonhardt Auditorium.

The Museum hosts well-known annual events, including Concerts in the Park with live music and food trucks, the VBMA Annual Gala, and the Fashion Meets Art event.

Throughout the year, there are studio art classes available at the Museum. Classes and workshops are available both during the week and on the weekends. These classes run for five or ten weeks. Topics include art history, drawing, painting, photography, yoga, and ceramics. 

The Vero Beach Museum of Art has flexible hours Monday through Sunday and is closed on major holidays. Bank of America cardholders can get free admission through the Bank of America Museums on US program on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month. There’s also an onsite café and free parking is available. Cross Merrill Barber Bridge and turn into Riverside Park to reach the museum. Guided tours are available for visitors of all ages with an advanced reservation and should be reserved at least two weeks in advance.