VERO BEACH, FLA.- The Vero Beach Museum of Art announced that it has reached a new milestone in its Museum in the Garden capital campaign, raising $110 million toward its $126 million goal, including gifts from nearly 50 new donors since the project’s November 7, 2025, groundbreaking.

“Only in Vero Beach could a relatively small museum embark on such an ambitious capital campaign,” shares VBMA Executive Director Brady Roberts. “A $126 million campaign represents a transformative investment, rising above what is typical for peer institutions of a similar scale. It is a testament to the incredible generosity and vision shared by our community to create a world-class museum and arts center in service of local and regional audiences.”

To date, more than 39 individuals and organizations have committed gifts of $1 million or more to Museum in the Garden: The Campaign for VBMA, including a recent $2 million grant from the Indian River Community Foundation (IRCF) to name the Indian River Community Foundation Ceramics Center at VBMA. The Ceramics Center will include a 1,000 sq. ft. ceramics studio—the largest of the new building’s art studios—a kiln room, and a glazing room.

“The decision to award the grant was made after thoughtful consideration of the meaningful impact the new VMBA will make in our community for generations to come,” said IRCF President and CEO Jeff Pickering. “It is our hope that the community will see this grant as a symbol of the trust we have in the VBMA’s leadership to create a beautiful, inclusive place that makes our community better for everyone.”

The entire first floor of the new VBMA will be free of admission fees, broadening the institution’s reach and deepening its commitment to arts education. It will serve as a “town square” where members, residents, and tourists can gather, enjoy, get inspired, explore, relax, and learn.

To date, more than 35 donors have selected spaces in the new building that will be named in recognition of their support. These include gifts for first-floor spaces, such as the Mark and Cindy Galant (Modern and Contemporary) Gallery, a café and retail store named for Campaign Committee Chair Emily Sherwood and her husband, Ned, as well as the new Buck Atrium honoring Bill and Laura Buck.