Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Launches Institute for Cultural Advancement

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is proud to announce the Institute for Cultural Advancement (ICA), a multi-tiered professional development program for cultural organizations, arts educators and creative professionals – the first of its kind in Palm Beach County.

The ICA was developed after the Council received a generous donation from the Donald M. Ephraim Family Foundation to grow the arts and cultural sector.

“For over 40 years, the Cultural Council has served as the official support agency for Palm Beach County’s cultural organizations, artists, educators and communities,” said Dave Lawrence, the Council’s president & CEO. “The Council is charged with a mission to champion, engage and grow the arts and cultural community. It is our duty and privilege to offer this professional development service in The Palm Beaches.”

Each year, the ICA focuses on one specific capacity-building goal, in addition to offering a series of topic-specific trend sessions, workshops and intensives for professionals in the arts and cultural sector.

2018-19 main sessions reflect the ICA’s inaugural theme of fundraising for the arts, sciences and humanities. Topics include public funding sources, donor stewardship, writing grant proposals and storytelling, which drive economic and tourism impact, contribute to education and enhance quality of life.

The DeVos Institute of Arts Management will lead two of the main ICA sessions this year. The nationally-recognized consulting group is also leading the Palm Beach County Arts Accelerator, a free year-long training program for cultural nonprofits. Ten organizations preparing to undertake major fundraising efforts were selected after a competitive application process. Arts Accelerator is underwritten by The Donald M. Ephraim Cultural Leadership Fund and Suzanne L. Niedland.

Prices vary by session and membership with the Cultural Council. For more information about membership opportunities, visit palmbeachculture.com/membership or call (561) 472-3330.

For more information about the Institute or to RSVP for public sessions, visit palmbeachculture.com/institute.

ABOUT THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. The Council provides grants to cultural organizations and professional artists, advocates for arts and cultural funding, enhances local arts education, offers support services to foster growth of the cultural sector and promotes cultural tourism.

The Cultural Council also serves as a venue for exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County, and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building in Downtown Lake Worth. Also on the property are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring hand-crafted items by local artists; the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA-designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center; and the Project Space, an open-air garden for live music and large-scale sculpture.

The Cultural Council’s three galleries, store and visitor’s center is open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, including a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.