Arts Garage CEO Marjorie Waldo named Stevie Awards finalist

Marjorie Waldo, president and CEO of Arts Garage in Delray Beach, was named a finalist for the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business in the Female Executive of the Year category for government or nonprofit leaders. The recognition lands as Arts Garage marks 15 years and highlights Waldo’s turnaround leadership, community fundraising and broader impact on the South Florida arts sector.

Why it matters: - The Stevie Awards finalist spot puts Arts Garage and Waldo on a global stage for nonprofit leadership. - The recognition highlights a turnaround story that combined financial recovery, audience growth and community support. - Arts Garage now reaches thousands of patrons and students, making the award relevant beyond the organization itself.

What happened: - Marjorie Waldo, president and CEO of Arts Garage, was named a finalist in the Female Executive of the Year – Government or Non-Profit – 11 to 2,500 Employees category. - The honor is part of the 23rd annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. - Finalists were selected from more than 1,500 nominations submitted worldwide. - More than 190 professionals served on seven specialized juries to score the entries. - Winners will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Awards at a banquet on November 16, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. - The full list of Stevie Award winners is available here.

The details: - Waldo has led Arts Garage since November 2016. - She took over during a period of financial distress and called the role “a turnaround business in the truest sense.” - Arts Garage eliminated debt, diversified revenue and rebuilt trust with donors and stakeholders under Waldo’s leadership. - The organization now presents more than 300 programs a year. - Arts Garage draws more than 31,000 patrons from nearly 150 cities across 18 states. - The organization generates an estimated $3.8 million in local economic impact each year. - In 2024, statewide cultural funding shifted and Waldo led a Call to Action campaign that rallied donors and civic leaders. - Programming and staff stayed in place during that period. - In December 2025, the Delray Beach City Commission voted to allocate $275,000 to support Arts Garage through summer 2027. - The funding reflected city confidence in the organization and its leadership. - Arts Garage’s Kimmel Family Series offers free weekday field trips for local public school students. - The Kimmel Family Series reached more than 2,400 elementary students in its first two years. - PLACES! A Summer Theatre Camp gives ages 8 to 15 hands-on training from working theatre professionals. - The Artists-in-Residence Series offers master classes, workshops and free performances for youth, underserved community members and lifelong learners. - Arts Garage launched the Senior Series in December 2025. - The Senior Series brings improv and dance to older adults in senior centers, senior living communities and select memory care settings. - The Senior Series has engaged more than 1,000 participants since launch. - Arts Garage marked its 15th anniversary this year. - Palm Beach County issued a proclamation recognizing Waldo’s leadership for the anniversary. - The venue won Guide to Florida’s Best of Florida in Theatre Venues in 2024, 2025 and 2026. - Arts Garage also won the 2025 Boca Raton Readers’ Choice Award for Art Gallery. - Waldo was recognized in Boca Magazine’s 2026 Best of Women in Business. - Arts Garage holds a 2026 Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

Between the lines: - The finalist nod reinforces Waldo’s profile as both an arts leader and a nonprofit operator who stabilized the institution. - Arts Garage’s programming mix shows a strategy built around broad community reach, not just ticketed performances. - The city funding and awards suggest local stakeholders view Arts Garage as an economic and cultural asset. - Waldo’s advocacy work also positions her as a public voice for the arts sector beyond Delray Beach. - She hosts Culture Under Fire, a podcast focused on the economic, educational and human impact of the arts. - Waldo regularly advocates for the arts before local officials and state leaders. - She most recently presented at the 2026 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism on how year-round arts programming drives local economies.

What's next: - Stevie Awards winners will be announced November 16, 2026, in New York City. - Arts Garage is expected to continue operating on the expanded community and education model Waldo has built. - The organization will also continue receiving city support through summer 2027. - Waldo’s arts advocacy work is likely to continue as state and local leaders weigh cultural funding and economic development.