Profile

The Visual Arts Center is located in downtown Panama City and is viewed as “the anchor” of the revitalization of downtown Panama City as well as one of the major cultural organizations with one hundred miles of the Bay County area, serving a seven county region. The museum has over 2,000 square feet of gallery space to showcase its own substantial art collection as well as traveling art exhibitions from around the nation and abroad. The Visual Arts Center, which draws thousands of visitors to the area, enhances the image of Panama City and therefore is vital to the long-term success of the city, its commerce and its beaches.

Panama City is recognized as one of America's 100 Best Small Art Towns and the Visual Arts Center has a unique responsibility to the community to maintain its status as a cultural arts leader in Northwest Florida. With the help of a dedicated staff and volunteers, we strive to meet this goal each year. The VAC is fast becoming a must-see destination for tourists around the southeast. We provide family oriented exhibits, events and venues as well as some of the finest cultural activities this city has to offer. We strive to leave a remarkable impression on everyone that visits.

Mission

The purpose of the Visual Arts Center is to foster excellence, diversity and vitality of the visual arts, to broaden the availability and appreciation of such excellence, diversity, and vitality through education and exhibitions, and to serve as a source of information about the arts, activities and events in Northwest Florida. The Visual Arts Center shall serve the needs of and enhance opportunities for visual artists and assure them of an integral role in policy development and programming.

Core values

Along with its mission, the Visual Arts Center strives to provide artistic excellence, diverse programming, community accessibility, cultural participation, education impact on both local and visiting children, as well as economic development for our surrounding area.