The culture of the Bradenton area comes alive, from the vibrant community of artists living in the Village of the Arts to modern performance venues and the talents of theater, music and dance troupes.

 Visual Arts

Village of the Arts near downtown Bradenton is the largest arts community in Florida. It’s a neighborhood of artists living and working within blocks of one another. During monthly ArtWalks held the first weekend of every month, visitors can stroll in and out of galleries to admire works and talk with the artists.

Art exhibitions, as well as classes, workshops and other events, are also held at ArtCenter Manatee, Palmetto Art Center and the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.

Performing Arts

There’s no shortage of live theater in the Bradenton area. The award-winning Manatee Players presents popular productions at their Riverfront Theatre, and construction of their new Manatee Players Performing Arts Center is underway on the Manatee River.

You can also catch shows at Island Players Community Theater on Anna Maria Island and the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Even The Powel Crosley Estate gets in on the fun; its Powel Crosley Theater showcases the works of authors and playwrights like Poe, Hemingway and Dickens.

And in nearby Sarasota, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomes concerts, comedians and touring Broadway musicals.

Music lovers can hear the Sarasota Orchestra, Florida’s oldest continuously running orchestra, in downtown Sarasota, or take in performances of the Sarasota Opera.