Arts and Culture in Naples: Where to Begin

People are sometimes surprised by how much art there is in a town this size. Naples has a full orchestra, a serious art museum, gallery rows in two downtown districts and a festival season that draws artists from across the country. If you are new to it, here is a way in.

Start at Artis—Naples

Artis—Naples is the cultural anchor here. One campus holds both the Naples Philharmonic and The Baker Museum, which means you can hear an orchestra and see an exhibition on the same visit. The season calendar runs the range, from classical to jazz to touring acts and family programming.

Walk the gallery districts

Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are the two downtown districts, and both mix galleries in with restaurants and shops. This is the low commitment way to see art in Naples. Park once, walk, wander in, ask questions. Gallery owners here are generally happy to talk.

Catch festival season

When the weather turns pleasant, the art fairs start. Outdoor festivals fill downtown streets and parks with booths, and they are one of the best ways to meet working artists and buy directly from them. Season is busy on purpose, so check listings and pick a weekend.

Look past downtown

Art here is not only downtown and not only for adults. Community theater, school arts programs, county library events, music at the Botanical Garden and classes for every age all run year round. Some of the most interesting work in Collier County happens in small rooms with folding chairs.

How to know what is on

This is where United Arts Collier earns its title as A Voice for All the Arts in Collier County. It tracks what is happening across the whole county, not just one venue or one district, and it supports the artists and organizations making the work.

For a comprehensive guide to arts and culture in Collier County, visit United Arts Collier at unitedartscollier.org.

One suggestion

Pick one thing this month that you would not normally choose. A chamber concert, a student show, a gallery opening for an artist you have never heard of. Arts towns stay arts towns because people keep showing up.