About

About ArtCenter Manatee

Founded in 1937, ArtCenter Manatee is located in downtown Bradenton at the intersection of arts and culture. ArtCenter Manatee is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, five classrooms that hold over 3,000 students every year, a LiveArtFully gift shop, and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes. ArtCenter Manatee has repeatedly been voted the best art gallery by the Herald Tribune and Bradenton Herald.

Over 300 day, evening and weekend art classes and workshops for adults are offered year round in painting, drawing, pastels, pottery, jewelry design, photography and more. Our After School Programs give students 4-15 the opportunity to express their creativity while they learn valuable skills, have fun and make new friends in over 35 classes designed just for them. We partner with the School District of Manatee County for an annual exhibit, Just for Girls, Pace Center for Girls, Lighthouse of Manasota and the Boy Scouts to teach art classes to their students at our facility.

The LiveArtFully Market features unique, affordable gifts by local artists. Purchases in the Artists’ Market help to support our local artists, subsidize the cost of our classes, and support the local economy.

Exhibitions in the three galleries change monthly and showcase the work of over 2,000 local, regional and national artists. Opening receptions are typically held on Thursday after an exhibit opens from 5:00-7:00, free and public welcome.

Events at ArtCenter Manatee are designed to bring art to the community. Special events planned for 2024-2025 include: the 6th Annual Holiday Extravaganza in November 2024 featuring ornaments and holiday-themed gifts by local artists; our annual holiday pottery sale benefiting the pottery group and the ArtCenter in November 2024; Used But Useful sale January 2025.

We are active members of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Kiwanis. Our Executive Director serves on the Public Art Board of Bradenton and is a member of Service Club of Manatee County. Our Cultural partners include Bishop Museum, Realize Bradenton, and Manatee Performing Arts Center.

Join ArtCenter Manatee and save on classes and workshops, use our open studio time for painting, pottery, jewelry and figure drawing  (a nominal fee applies) and support the visual arts in our community.

Our Mission
The mission of ArtCenter Manatee is to provide a welcoming, professional environment, educate novice and experienced artists of all ages, provide galleries to exhibit and market original artwork and enhance the visual arts in Manatee County through special events and outreach programs.

Our goal is to make art accessible to all.

ArtCenter Manatee, formerly Art League of Manatee County, is a nonprofit organization in Manatee County focused on art education for adults and children and exhibition of local, regional and national visual artists’ work in all media.