Arts, diversity and community: Cultural cornerstone in Delray Beach celebrates 15 years
By Wilkine Brutus
July 1, 2026 at 12:54 PM EDT
Professional live music, comedy, theater, visual arts, education 鈥� you can鈥檛 mention Delray Beach without the Arts Garage. The cultural cornerstone is celebrating 15 years as a creative third space for touring artists, residents and tourists. And the support keeps growing.
In the age of AI and political polarization, president and CEO Marjorie Waldo told SA国际传谋, there鈥檚 an 鈥渆ven stronger desire for community gatherings.鈥�
鈥淭he benefits to people, mental health, physical health, all of those things, not to mention just feeling happy, come from being around arts and culture,鈥� Waldo said.
Waldo, who鈥檚 led the Arts Garage for the past decade, recently raised $15,000 dollars 鈥� a nod to the anniversary 鈥� to fund scholarships and resources for programming such as its immersive theatre training, !
From July 6 to July 31 students will learn various theatrical themes, from technical theatre and playwriting to acting and improv.
鈥淜ids who are engaged in community-based arts education are more likely to be civically engaged when they're older,鈥� Waldo added, citing from the National Endowment for the Arts.
READ MORE: Delray Beach's beloved Arts Garage is getting city dollars to keep its business thriving
The Arts Garage President and CEO Marjorie Waldo this year received a county proclamation for the organization's 15th anniversary. (5712x4284, AR: 1.3333333333333333)
At a time when arts funding is under pressure nationwide, the Arts Garage raised over $55,000 from more than 120 donors during their annual campaign, reflecting the community鈥檚 commitment to accessible culture.
Like other businesses and groups in the arts vulnerable to cuts, Waldo notes that the Arts Garage in recent years has increasingly relied on private donors rather than government grants and funding.
Those same donors often praise her for Art Garage鈥檚 diverse offerings.
鈥溾�奣hey [fans] wanna see shows that transport them and that make them feel happy, 鈥� Waldo said. 鈥溾�奍 believe that it's easy to program the space to serve a diverse audience by creating a diversity of performers on the stage."
(2750x625, AR: 4.4)
In the age of AI and political polarization, president and CEO Marjorie Waldo told SA国际传谋, there鈥檚 an 鈥渆ven stronger desire for community gatherings.鈥�
鈥淭he benefits to people, mental health, physical health, all of those things, not to mention just feeling happy, come from being around arts and culture,鈥� Waldo said.
Waldo, who鈥檚 led the Arts Garage for the past decade, recently raised $15,000 dollars 鈥� a nod to the anniversary 鈥� to fund scholarships and resources for programming such as its immersive theatre training, !
From July 6 to July 31 students will learn various theatrical themes, from technical theatre and playwriting to acting and improv.
鈥淜ids who are engaged in community-based arts education are more likely to be civically engaged when they're older,鈥� Waldo added, citing from the National Endowment for the Arts.
READ MORE: Delray Beach's beloved Arts Garage is getting city dollars to keep its business thriving
The Arts Garage President and CEO Marjorie Waldo this year received a county proclamation for the organization's 15th anniversary. (5712x4284, AR: 1.3333333333333333)
At a time when arts funding is under pressure nationwide, the Arts Garage raised over $55,000 from more than 120 donors during their annual campaign, reflecting the community鈥檚 commitment to accessible culture.
Like other businesses and groups in the arts vulnerable to cuts, Waldo notes that the Arts Garage in recent years has increasingly relied on private donors rather than government grants and funding.
Those same donors often praise her for Art Garage鈥檚 diverse offerings.
鈥溾�奣hey [fans] wanna see shows that transport them and that make them feel happy, 鈥� Waldo said. 鈥溾�奍 believe that it's easy to program the space to serve a diverse audience by creating a diversity of performers on the stage."
(2750x625, AR: 4.4)