THE CULTURE OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Indian River County is full of culture. Whether you define the term as the history of the area’s inhabitants or as the more modern sense of culture pertaining to the arts, there is much to be learned and observed within the Treasure Coast.
The Cultural Council is an integral part of supporting and promoting all genres of the arts within our county. They help to encourage visual, performing and literary arts and offer a forum for advertising and displaying work for all local artists. They strive to ensure that the art culture stays local and is appreciated and supported by not only their organization but by our community as well. This is a core reason that Indian River County continues to draw in artists, poets, photographers and writers.
The cultural history of our area is not only interesting, but is also essential in order to fully appreciate Indian River County. The railway systems were an integral part of the county’s beginnings with the Florida East Coast railroad beginning service here in 1893. This allowed the prominent citrus industry a huge advancement and enabled them to utilize faster shipping methods. Local development quickly grew due to this improvement. Vero Beach became incorporated in 1919 and Indian River County was created in 1924 in order to separate them from St. Lucie County.
The Vero Beach Municipal Airport started in 1930 and began commercial airline service in 1932. The Vero Beach Municipal Airport was used as a re-fueling stop for Eastern Airlines. While the focus started to become about the war in the 1940’s, this airport was utilized as the site for a Naval Air Station from 1942 to 1947. After the war, the Navy no longer utilized the airport and Piper Aircraft built a research and development center on the grounds of the former naval station in 1957.
In 1949, the Dodgers, then of Brooklyn, came and started their Spring Training in Vero Beach. For 59 years, people traveled from all over to come and enjoy the Dodgers Spring Training in Indian River County. They became a staple in the area and once they left in 2008, they started their new Spring Training regiment in a facility in Glendale Arizona. While much effort is going forth to preserve the Dodgers history and presence in Vero Beach, the locals will miss attending the Dodgers Spring Training games that they became accustomed to.
All of these elements each hold a special place within Indian River County’s culture and they provide the framework for the beautiful area that we now call home. Art, history and appreciation are equal elements that make up our amazing culture.
Locally we are fortunate to have many individuals, groups, clubs and organizations dedicated to promoting the growth and development of our culture on the Indian River.
The Indian River Art News is a free monthly e-newsletter for artists along the Treasure Coast - from Stuart to Melbourne - focusing on Calls to Artists and other local and statewide opportunities for visual artists. Included are exhibition reviews, studio spaces available, artist gatherings and marketing advice.
We hope this site will help you create social connections while enhancing cultural appreciation and awareness.
Area Information
Find links to the web sites with a wealth of helpful information about the Indian River County area.
Our History
Read about the history of Indian River County.
Find out more about our rich heritage.
Philanthropy
Anyone can be a philanthropist. Philanthropy is about giving of yourself, whether it is money, your time, or other personal resources. You can make a difference!
Click here to see how you can help.
Local Artists
Check out local artists and find out where to see their work on display.
Click here to view local artists.
