About

About the Herrig Center for the ARTS

Founded in 1937, Herrig Center for the ARTS is located in downtown Bradenton at the intersection of arts and culture. Herrig Center for the ARTS is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts in Manatee County. The newly constructed  28,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, nine classrooms that hold over 3,000+ students every year, a LiveArtFully gift shop, and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes. Herrig Center for the ARTS 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 ages 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 Artisan Boutique features unique, affordable gifts by local artists. Purchases in the boutique 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 Herrig Center for the ARTS are designed to bring art to the community. Special events planned for 2025-2026 include: the 7th Annual Holiday Extravaganza in November 2025 featuring ornaments and holiday-themed gifts by local artists; SnatchIt! Art Up For Grabs fabulously fun fundraiser April 18, 2026, a spring pottery sale, artist talks and much more.

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 Herrig Center for the ARTS 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 Herrig Center for the ARTS 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.

Herrig Center for the ARTS, formerly ArtCenter Manatee/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.