Since the early part of the century, this area has attracted artists, writers, poets, and most of all, Dreamers ....  McKee Jungle Gardens opened its doors in 1932; major league baseball arrived with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1948.  In 1958 the Vero Beach Theatre Guild held its first production.  In 1966, the Vero Beach Concert Association was formed, and in 1974 the Riverside Theatre held its first production.

In 1994, Vero Beach was named "one of the Best Small Art Towns in America."  The criteria for being included in the book "The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America" by John Villiani included location, climate, quality of life, available cultural activities, economic impact of the arts, an active local arts agency, galleries and art festivals, and the opinion of artists who are members of each community.

Most of the established cultural institutions were built by private donations and have become the fabric of this wonderful community.  The modern 55,000 square foot Vero Beach Museum of Art which has the largest school associated with a museum in the State of Florida is also the home to the 500 member + Vero Beach Art Club that meets in the museum monthly; the 615-seat professional Riverside Theatre; the lovely Anne Morton Theatre which houses the Riverside Children's Theatre; the 51-acre Environmental Learning Center; the 18-acre McKee Botanical Garden, the 312-seat community Vero Beach Theatre Guild ... just to name a few.