It’s no secret that enjoying the arts can be pricey. Museum admission, show ticket fees, even parking and transportation to an event adds up and can be a barrier for families on budget.
Before you give up on taking the family for a day immersed in the arts, check out some of the places in Broward County that offer low-cost or free admittance to visitors.
Studio 18 Art Complex
Located in the heart of Pembroke Pines, Studio 18 Art Complex is a gallery and working studio space that presents dynamic exhibitions, exciting (and affordable) art workshops, and events for the community. Access to the Studio 18 Art Complex is always free. Visitors can stroll through the current exhibition and also interact with the many resident artists working in their studios. Exhibition openings are free to attend. Workshops and classes are held throughout the week and include a fee; participants must pre-register on the website for classes and workshops. Pembroke Pines residents enjoy a discount on classes. Most workshops are reasonably priced—some workshops are only $5.
Expect to spend 30-45 minutes viewing the gallery and visiting artists’ studios. If attending a workshop or event, expect to spend two or more hours at Studio 18; parking is limited so be sure to arrive early.
Best for: Preteens, teens, and adults
WHAT : Studio 18 Art Complex
WHERE: 1101 Poinciana Drive Pembroke Pines
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
COST : Free
INFORMATION: (954) 961-6067 or
Studio 18 Art Complex
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
NSU Art Museum offers free admission during their monthly ‘Starry Nights’ event that take place every first Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Mini Muse,” NSU Art Museum’s kid-friendly activities related to a current exhibition, are also free and take place during Starry Nights from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fort Lauderdale residents receive free admission to the museum on the last Sunday of each month through the museum’s “Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day” —just be ready to present a photo I.D., driver’s license, or utility bill showing proof of Fort Lauderdale residence when you visit. NSU Art Museum also participates in the “Museums for All” initiative which offers free museum admission to those receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); bring a photo I.D. plus your SNAP EBT card and receive free admission for up to four individuals. Bank of America cardholders also enjoy free admission on the first full weekend of each month.
During your visit, expect to spend at least an hour touring the exhibitions. Most exhibitions are suitable for all ages; the museum posts information to inform visitors when an exhibition includes sensitive topics.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
WHERE: One East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
ADMISSION: Free admission: First Thursday of the month, last Sunday of the month (Fort Lauderdale Residents), first full weekend of the month, (Bank of America cardholders), SNAP Recipients (anytime with SNAP EBT card and I.D.).Otherwise, $16 general admission; $10, seniors, $5, children ages 13 to 17 and college students with an I.D., children under 12 admitted free
INFORMATION: (954) 525- 5500 or
NSU Art Museum
Coral Springs Museum of Art
Situated on Coral Springs Drive inside the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, the Coral Springs Museum of Art offers a variety of exhibitions that include both local and international artists. Exhibitions are refreshed every eight weeks to provide visitors a new experience. The museum also hosts special events, tours, workshops, and classes for kids, teens, and adults. Admission is free to the Coral Springs Museum of Art and many of special events are free, including opening receptions for exhibits, art discussions, and their ongoing “Sensory Sensitivity Hour” for visitors with sensory sensitivities (every Monday from 9 to 10 a.m.). Workshops, classes, and summer camp programs include a fee, participants must pre-register to attend; visit the website for details. The Museum’s “ARTventures Family Day” on the second Saturday of each month is an affordable way for families to get creative together—tickets are $8 for non-members and $6 for museum members.
Expect to spend one to two hours touring exhibitions; special events (such as the “Sensory Sensitivity Hour”) are generally one hour. Classes and workshops are two hours.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : Coral Springs Museum of Art
WHERE: 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday through Sunday, by appointment on Mondays
ADMISSION: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 340-5000 or
Coral Springs Museum of Art
ArtsPark
This massive, 10-acre area at Young Circle in Hollywood includes a park, playground, arts pavilion, and concert venue, providing an array of both indoor and outdoor arts entertainment for all ages. Stroll through the park and view the site-specific art installation entitled “Millenium Springs” by Japanese artist Ritsuko Taho and walk among the massive Baobab trees. The Young Circle Gallery in the Visual Arts Pavilion at ArtsPark includes works by local artists along with artist studios and space for art demonstrations and art classes. The Hollywood ArtsPark Amphitheater plays host to the “Hollywood ArtsPark Experience” a series of free, family-friendly events, including musical performances, movies, and other events. Visiting ArtsPark at Young Circle is free; visitors can also visit the Young Circle Gallery and experience events at the ArtsPark Amphitheater at no cost. Classes at the Visual Arts Pavilion require a fee and pre-registration to attend. When you visit ArtsPark, expect to stay between one to two hours; if you are attending a special event or class, expect to spend two or more hours.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : ArtsPark at Young Circle
WHERE: One Young Circle, U.S 1 and Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
WHEN: Young Circle Gallery hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
ADMISSION: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 921-3500 or
ArtsPark at Young Circle
Art and Culture Center/Hollywood
Close to ArtsPark at Young Circle is the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. Located in the historic Kagey Mansion, the Art and Culture Center shows numerous art exhibitions that feature local and national artists. The Art and Culture Center also runs an Open Dialogue film series and hosts arts education programs for children starting from pre-K to high school as well as art workshops open to the public. Free admission is available the third Sunday of every month; the Art and Culture Center also offers free admission to children under 12, teachers (with valid I.D.), active military personnel and their families (with valid military I.D.), and members of the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. The Art and Culture Center also participates in the “Museums for All” program that offers SNAP recipients free admission for up to four people (with a valid SNAP EBT card). Some of their events and programs, such as the “Free Arts Family Day,” are also free, check their website for details.
Expect to spend up to an hour viewing current exhibitions. You may spend more time at the Art and Culture Center if you are attending a workshop, event, or education program.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : Art and Culture Center/Hollywood
WHERE: 1650 Harrison St., Hollywood
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., Saturday through Sunday
COST : Free admission: Third Sunday of the month, Teachers (with valid I.D.), Active military personnel and their families, SNAP recipients (with SNAP EBT card and photo I.D.), Members of the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, NARM Members. Otherwise, $10, general admission, $5, students (with valid I.D.), children 13 to 17 years old, seniors 65 or older, children under 12 admitted free.
INFORMATION: (954).921-3274 or
Art and Culture Center/Hollywood
The Frank
Located at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery that presents exhibitions, hosts workshops and lectures, and serves as a space for artists, performers, curators, and community members. The Frank holds kid-friendly events and activities, such as Family Day events and their ongoing “Teen Art Club,” a series of art workshops for middle and high school students. Admission to The Frank is free year-round. Admittance to summer exhibitions includes a $5 fee. The Frank’s Teen Art Club series are $5 per student (ages 13-16), but many workshops and events are free for visitors, including exhibition-related discussions and lectures.
Expect to spend at least an hour viewing The Frank’s current exhibitions. Events, Family Day activities, and art workshops, including the Teen Art Club, are two-hour events so expect to spend a little longer at The Frank if you plan to attend an event and view the exhibitions.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery
WHERE: 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday
ADMISSION: Free or $5 for some summer exhibitions
INFORMATION: (954) 392-2120 or
The Frank C. Otis Art Gallery
Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)
Since 1977, the Museum of Discovery and Science has been providing South Florida with science education even before STEAM was an acronym. The museum’s many offerings cater to all ages starting from infants, up through adults. At any given point, the MODS shows over 20 traveling and permanent exhibits that engage all five senses and help children understand science in real-world settings. When visiting, be sure to check out the Great Gravity Clock (the largest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida), the Food Forest—an outdoor garden space with edible plants where kids can learn about the effects of climate change and how to grow their own food, the Keller Science Theater where you can see scientific principles at play through live demonstrations, and the Florida Ecoscapes exhibit, which features live plants and animals native to Florida and explains the impact of invasive species. Visitors may also participate in one of the Museum’s many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs and enjoy a movie at the Autonation IMAX theater after touring the museum. Documentary films run for 45 minutes while feature-length films can run for more than two hours. While the admission isn’t low cost, per se, there’s plenty included with a ticket – admission starts at $28 for adults and $23 for children—infants under 12 months are free and tickets include access to all exhibits, the live science theater, and one IMAX documentary film. The museum offers many free and low-cost opportunities for families; South Florida residents can enjoy discounted admission prices. If you have a Bank of America credit card, get one free admission in the “Museums on Us” program during the first full weekend of every month; The “Museums for All” program provides SNAP recipients $2 admission per person for up to four people with a valid I.D. and their EBT or WIC card. Free and low-cost events and programs are offered throughout the year.
Expect to spend one to three hours enjoying the exhibits and watching an IMAX documentary.
Best for: All ages (small children through adults)
WHAT : Museum of Discovery and Science
WHERE: 401 S.W. Second Street, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Sunday
ADMISSION: $28 general admission, $23 ages 1 through 12, infants 0-12 months, admitted free; $26 seniors 65-plus, $25 military members (with military I.D.)
INFORMATION: (954) 467-6637 or
Museum of Discovery and Science
Young at Art Museum (YAA)
Located inside Broward Mall, Young at Art exhibitions encourage hands-on interaction and give kids a chance to play and practice creativity through creation. For instance, Young at Art’s “Eco Theater” features Pablo Cano’s marionettes and allows kids to create their own puppets using recycled materials and found objects. In addition to exhibitions, Young at Art presents age-specific special events and workshops, such as its ongoing “Museum Melodies with Cadenza Music” event for toddlers and small children, or Teen Fashion Workshops which gives teens ages 13 through 18 a chance to learn skills from fashion experts and create their own garment for the Annual Recycled Fashion Show. Other ongoing workshops feature music education in “Global Grooves” and “STEAM Surge” with the South Florida Chamber Ensemble. Young at Art provides a sensory-sensitive experience for kids with sensory sensitivities on the second Saturday of each month; exhibits are also designed to minimize stimulation for kids on the autism spectrum. Admission to Young at Art is $12 for children and adults. Events such as “Museum Melodies with Cadenza Music” and “Picture Books and Picassos: Storytime & Art” events and hands-on workshops led by local artists are free with museum admission. Participation in Young at Art’s “Parent to Kid Connection” is also free and includes monthly sessions for parents and kids to work together through art. There are also free virtual experiences for families, which include art activities, guided art workshops, and virtual tours of exhibitions.
Expect to spend at least an hour experiencing the exhibitions. Participation in an event or workshop is half an hour to an hour.
Best for: Small children through teens
WHAT : Young at Art Museum
WHERE: 8000 W Broward Blvd Ste 1208, Plantation
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
ADMISSION: $12, children and adults, some free events
INFORMATION: (954) 424-0085 or
Young at Art Museum
Regardless of where you are in Broward, everyone can afford to enjoy the arts.
