Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and is home to the state’s only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Florida Highwaymen.

With a career spanning more than 70 years, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990) was the first Florida-born artist to build his professional renown by painting the landscape and scenes from daily life of his native state. He was fortunate to have known great success during his lifetime, with paintings hanging in the businesses and the private collections of many of Florida’s most prominent citizens. A renowned humanitarian who abhorred the racist attitudes and segregation that engulfed the region, Backus taught and mentored the group of entrepreneurial African American artists who became known as the Florida Highwaymen. Their inspiring story is part of the A.E. Backus legacy.

Additionally, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of regional, national, and international acclaim.

The Backus Museum is located on the shores of the Indian River in Veterans Memorial Park, in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce.

The mission of the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery is to promote the arts in the community and perpetuate the artistic and humanitarian legacy of A.E. Backus.