Art, Culture, and Science: Non-Profit Organizations to Visit in The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches are often associated with blue waters, sunshine, stunning resorts, and high-end shopping areas. And although it’s true that The Palm Beaches have earned the title of America’s First Resort Destination, very few people know that they are also recognized as Florida’s Cultural Capital^®. With over 200 cultural organizations spanning from museums to gardens, theaters, science centers and art galleries, The Palm Beaches offer creative and cultural experiences for any age and any taste. The best month to experience Florida’s Cultural Capital^® is May—the Month of Shows, Art, Ideas & Culture (MOSAIC). This annual celebration hosted and organized by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is a celebration of The Palm Beaches’ art, culture, and creativity through unique deals and offers at cultural organizations. With so many cultural activities available, listing them all is impossible. Here we have included five non-profit organizations that offer fun and educational cultural experiences in The Palm Beaches. Check them out this May and take advantage of their exclusive deals!

1. Taras Oceanograpic Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Taras Oceanographic Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims at empowering citizens to advocate for the conservation of dolphins and the marine environment. Through its programs, research and education, Taras increases awareness about the threats faced by dolphins and the oceans and assures the long-term survival of both people and the ocean. The foundation has also implemented a sustainability program, which makes it a zero-carbon organization.
Visitors of the Taras Oceanographic Foundation can enjoy the magnificence of wild dolphins and other marine life through fun and educative watch tours lead by dolphin experts who interpret wildlife sightings. Book your public or private tour and learn about dolphins, while supporting the Foundation’s research program. 

Location: 511 40th Street, West Palm Beach, FL 3345

2. Resource Depot

Another non-profit organization, Resource Depot strives to reduce waste in Palm Beach County by recycling unwanted materials. The organization collects donations from businesses and individuals and redistributes them to people and other non-profit organizations that need them, encouraging the recycling of these items. Through workshops and fun classes, Resource Depot encourages its visitors to have fun with diverse materials, inspiring children and adults to express their creativity. The organization has also a market—TreasuRE—where visitors can purchase renewed and reinvented one-of-a-kind items or newly-packaged goods. All sales at TreasuRE support art and education programs.
Resource Depot is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.
 
Location: 2508 Florida Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

3. Benzaiten Center for the Creative Arts

The Benzaiten Center for the Creative Arts is a private non-profit organization located in the Lake Worth Arts District in the Historic FEC Train Depot—a few steps away from Downtown Lake Worth. The name Benzaiten indicates a Japanese goddess who represents all things flowing, including music, love, and knowledge. This permanent arts center inspires a deeper understanding and appreciation of art and creative processes by organizing creative classes and providing direct interaction with artists from all around the world. The Benzaiten Center for the Creative Arts offers numerous beginner classes as well as six to eight week packages. Some of their popular classes include flameworking, fusing, and glassblowing. The center’s art experts guide kids and adults through all necessary steps required to make the perfect piece of art. The classes are great activities for families, groups of friends, or for a team building experience. 
Visit the Benzaiten Center for the Creative Arts Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
 
Location: 1105 2nd Avenue South, Lake Worth, Florida 33460

4. Armory Art Center

Housed in what was once a National Guard Armory, the Armory Art Center is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 with the goal of ensuring the continuation of practical art instruction in Palm Beach County. The art center organizes art exhibitions, art classes and workshops taught by national and international visiting master artists. The center offers 8-week classes, 1 and 2 day workshops, as well as 3 hour “pop up” workshops. The art classes are suitable for students of all ages and levels of experience and are taught in state-of-the-art studios. The organization offers classes in a multitude of departments, including ceramics, digital media, drawing, jewelry, painting, printmaking, textiles & fiber, and sculpture. Check out all workshops here and pick your favorite!
 
Location: 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

5. Cox Science Center and Aquarium

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium features 100-plus educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a full-dome digital planetarium, a quarter mile-long science trail, a mini-golf course, traveling exhibits, and much more. A hands-on, minds-on experience for the whole family! Serving Palm Beach County since 1961, the Science Center’s goal is to “Open Every Mind to Science” by providing schools and visitors a new set of science programming and tech ventures based on computer coding, robotics, and other educational programs. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
 
Location: 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405