Naples does not get enough credit for its art scene. Fifth Avenue South alone carries the nickname the Avenue of the Arts, and the city has two serious cultural institutions anchoring everything else.
| Venue | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Naples Art Institute (von Liebig Art Center) | Contemporary exhibitions, classes | Cambier Park, downtown |
| The Baker Museum | Fine art museum, permanent collection | Artis-Naples campus, Pelican Bay |
| Art On Fifth Ave, A Procaccini Gallery | Fine art gallery | Fifth Avenue South |
| Native Visions Galleries | Contemporary and wildlife art | Fifth Avenue South |
| Shaw Gallery | Fine art, sculpture | Fifth Avenue South, Olde Naples |
Start with the Naples Art Institute, formerly the von Liebig Art Center, right in Cambier Park. In 1995 the organization signed a land lease agreement with the city for public land in Cambier Park, funded through private donations including a major gift from Suzanne and William von Liebig, and the center officially opened in November 1998 as a 16,000 square foot facility with six studios, a main exhibition hall, galleries, and one of the area's largest art resource libraries. It draws roughly 100,000 guests a year for its changing exhibitions, art classes, workshops, and lectures, and sits at 585 Park Street, one block south of Fifth Avenue.
For a bigger, more museum grade experience, head to The Baker Museum at Artis-Naples. Part of Artis-Naples, which also houses the Naples Philharmonic, the museum opened in 2000 and was later renamed for philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker, and it occupies a three story, 30,000 square foot facility. Its permanent collection includes more than 2,400 works spanning American and European paintings, sculpture, contemporary art, and works on paper. If a visiting friend asks for real culture while they are in town, this is the answer.
Back downtown, Fifth Avenue South is essentially an open air gallery district. Shaw Gallery of Fine Art, located in the heart of Olde Naples on Fifth Avenue South, has distinguished itself as one of the premier art galleries of Southwest Florida. A few doors down, Native Visions has operated since 1987 on Fifth Avenue South in what is known around the world as the avenue of the arts.
Art On Fifth Ave has become a favorite stop for its approachable feel. Visitors describe it as sophisticated, welcoming, and filled with artwork not found anywhere else, with a bright, airy space perfectly suited for showcasing work. No appointment needed, no pressure to buy, just walk in.
If your visit lines up with the calendar right, catch the annual downtown fair. Each year the Naples Downtown Art Fair transforms Fifth Avenue South and Cambier Park into a curated open air gallery, drawing artists from around the globe with work ranging from classic to modern. This is one of the best free things to do in downtown Naples on the right weekend.
Children 17 and under can enter free, making it an easy add to a family day downtown.
No, galleries along Fifth Avenue are set up for walk in visitors.
The Naples Art Institute holds it annually, usually in March. The 38th annual fair ran March 21 to 22, 2026 in Cambier Park and along Fifth Avenue South, so the next edition is expected around March 2027. Confirm exact dates on the Naples Art Institute's event page closer to the date.
Pair a gallery walk with something sweet using our best ice cream and dessert spots in Naples guide, or see what else is on this week on our events calendar.