Back in 1975, a small community arts center opened on Hollywood Beach. There were no glossy galleries, no sprawling performance spaces, just a modest room with a few paintings on the walls and a handful of locals stopping by. Fast forward to 2025, and that humble beginning has been transformed into the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood—a dynamic institution known for championing local talent, hosting award-winning film series and welcoming over 45,000 visitors annually. And now, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Center is ready to reach new heights with the opening of a state-of-the-art Arts Education Center.
Set to debut in September 2025, this new facility is more than just an expansion; it’s a statement. Designed by the visionary architects at Brooks+Scarpa, the Arts Education Center boasts a gleaming, futuristic façade and a swooping rooftop that practically screams “cutting edge.” Its dramatic design is also a fascinating contrast to the 1924 Mediterranean Revival Kagey Home that anchors the original center, creating a visually interesting blend of historic charm and contemporary cool. Imagine having two buildings built a century apart working in harmony. That’s the kind of bold move that defines the Center’s half-century of evolution.
This project didn’t appear out of thin air. It’s part of a city-wide initiative backed by public improvement bonds that Hollywood voters passed in 2019, showing how deeply the community values its artistic institutions. Funding flowed in from multiple sources, including the City of Hollywood, the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency, Broward County and the State of Florida. In the words of Executive Director Jennifer Homan, “Our Create More Art initiative will bring vibrant, accessible programming both within our new facility and throughout the community, reaching places like senior centers, parks and schools.” It’s a vision rooted in accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that art isn’t confined to gallery walls but is part of daily life across Hollywood.
Of course, building a new space is one thing; filling it with meaningful programming is another. Enter the Center’s new partnership with Thinking Cap Theatre, a highly regarded company with a reputation for bold, thought-provoking performances. The addition of Nicole Stodard as director of theater programming has already breathed new life into the Center’s lineup, marking the return of professional theater to Hollywood for the first time since 2003. After 20 years without a professional stage, Hollywood’s residents and visitors can now look forward to world-class theater without leaving the city limits. It’s a cultural upgrade that signals a new era for local performing arts.
On the visual arts side, the Kagey Home galleries continue to exhibit some of the finest local and regional artists. And it’s not just about paintings on walls—there’s a serious multimedia component, too. The Center’s documentary film series, led by Development Director Jeff Rusnak, has earned critical acclaim.
The Center has also launched a new artist in residence (AIR) program, a direct response to the closing of Fat Village and the skyrocketing real estate prices that have squeezed local artists out of affordable studio spaces. Curator Jodi Sypher, a stalwart of South Florida’s arts scene, leads the program with a focus on emerging talent and marginalized voices. The inaugural AIR class includes four dynamic artists: Harumi Abe, Nadia Wolff, Kandy Lopez and Felice Gordon. These artists were selected by a jury of art world heavyweights, including Bonnie Clearwater of NSU Museum of Art and Dennis Scholl, an award-winning filmmaker and arts advocate. Sypher, alongside Assistant Curator Charles Adkins Jr., is curating an “Outsider Art” exhibit in partnership with the National Arts Exhibition for the Mentally Ill, set to open this month. This groundbreaking show will shine a light on voices often left out of mainstream art conversations.
Driving the Center’s ambitious growth is its capital project campaign, the Create More Art initiative, which aims to fund not only the new building but also a top-to-bottom renovation of the historic Kagey Home and its surrounding grounds. Longtime Hollywood resident Max Chira has already kicked things off with a generous $500,000 donation, ensuring that the new Arts Education Center will have the furnishings and design flair worthy of its architectural grandeur. It’s a game-changer for Hollywood, one that will keep the Center relevant, resilient and ready to inspire for another 50 years.
As the Center’s current director, Jennifer Homan, reflects on this milestone anniversary, she underscores that while the buildings and programs might be expanding, the heart of the Center remains the same. “For 50 years, we’ve embraced everyone in our community. Art nurtures creativity, fosters empathy and bridges understanding, and that’s the spirit we strive to uphold.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Joy Satterlee, the former executive director who retired in December after 21 years of service. Satterlee’s vision was always clear: create a space where everyone feels welcome, artists can thrive and visitors can experience the full breadth of human creativity.
With its historic architecture, modern expansion and commitment to inclusive programming, the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood is ready to embark on its next chapter. If the past 50 years were about laying down roots, the future is about growing upward, outward and reaching as many people as possible.
