Our History

This community began to build a dream 25 years ago. The dream started with the establishment of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. Soon, plans were on the drawing board for an arts center that would be a permanent home for that orchestra – and much more.

Today, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts Cultural Complex is unlike any other arts center in the country, with a mission of presenting the best of the visual and performing arts in a single complex. This mission was expanded in 2000 with the opening of the Naples Museum of Art.

As we look ahead to our 20th season, we also look back at how we got here: through vision, generosity, diversity and fiscal responsibility. Each season since first opening our doors in November 1989, we have brought more people into our cultural complex to see an increasingly diverse selection of events.

Over the past two decades we have forged a successful partnership in the arts business – but we have also been, and continue to be, in the business of building for the future. Several years ago, we more than doubled the size of our administrative offices and added an education center.

In November of 2000, we opened the region’s first full-scale art museum. We continue to build for the future by expanding our programs for the young people of this community.

Yes, together we have come a long way. But this is only the beginning. Thank you for sharing the vision.

Myra Janco Daniels                                                     
Founder, Chairman and CEO