Marco Island resides on a barrier island at the edge of Southwest Florida, but its cultural presence takes center stage.
Marco Island Center for the Arts outgrew its beginnings as a gallery hub and transformed into one of the region’s most vital arts institutions. Through the vision and hard work of Executive Director Hyla Crane, the art center welcomes visual artists, students, theater lovers, seasonal residents, full‑time islanders and curious neighbors from Naples and Bonita Springs experiencing short getaways.
Founded in 1970 as the Art League of Marco Island, the Marco Island Center for the Arts has grown into a 14,000-square-foot hub for creativity that allows local and visitors to enjoy and participate in the arts without leaving the island. The Center originally was known for its visual-arts exhibitions and education programs, but the addition of the Arts Center Theatre in 2022 expanded its mission to include live performances. With a capacity of just 80 seats, Arts Center Theatre gives every audience member a front-row seat to the action on stage.
“We’re calling our 2025–2026 season our season of laughter and love because that’s what the world needs now,” Crane said. “I really feel in a world that is ever‑changing and somewhat divisive, (having) a place where people can go and collectively have a laugh, share a smile and enjoy themselves is something for us. I think that’s what our community is looking for — a place where people can congregate and can talk and express themselves in a safe space. We want a year where people are going to have fun with us, and I think this season is reflective of that. The Center’s mission is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to inspire artistic expression and advance education and appreciation of the arts.”…