OUR NEW WEBSITE WILL BE AVAILABLE TODAY!
PLEASE CHECK BACK TO SEE OUR RESOURCE PAGE FOR THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY.

​The Cultural Council is invested in the health and well-being of the artists, arts organizations, and communities whom we serve.  Artists, technicians, administrators, and everyone involved in the arts community are facing an unprecedented situation as events get canceled or postponed. As we all come together to contain the spread of COVID-19, we will be looking for ways to support our local art and culture community during this difficult economic time. 
​ We believe that the arts are about bringing people together. As we work our way collectively through this pandemic, we are hopeful that the artists, organizations, and everyone who make up our arts community will come together and be stronger for it.

MISSION

Enrich life in Northeast Florida by investing in Arts and Culture.

VISION

Arts and Culture are recognized by ALL as essential for our quality of life. 

VALUES

  • Collaborative - We value collaboration as a means to expand our collective vision
  • Imaginative - We believe it will take vision and innovation to ignite the creative spark that will lead Jacksonville to realize its potential
  • Engaging - We believe that as community leaders we must represent and serve the interests of the cultural sector and the public at large with energy and integrity
  • Inclusive - We believe that everyone benefits from access to arts and culture and we are committed to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable city. 

ROLES

Ensure broad accessibility and public engagement with the arts culturally, socially, educationally, and economically. 
Build relationships and enhance communication with artists, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and the public at large.
Expand public awareness of issues that affect local, regional, and national funding for the sector.
Advocate for public and private financial support for the sector.
Work to build communities that are healthy, vibrant, and equitable.
Promote arts and cultural events, projects, and initiatives in Northeast Florida.

PUBLIC INITIATIVES

CULTURAL SERVICE INTERNSHIPS
Picture
Sculpture by Augusta Savage
This program was designed to employ students from underserved neighborhoods through paid summer internship positions with arts and cultural organizations.   
LIFT EVERY STUDENT
Picture
Artwork by Roosevelt Watson III and Overstreet Ducasse
This program was designed to promote the STEAM educational approach by integrating the arts into a classroom's core curriculum to meet evolving objectives. 
ARTS EDUCATION

PRIVATE INITIATIVES

CULTURAL SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM
Picture
Artwork by Dustin Harewood
This program was designed to provide public support to arts and cultural organizations that contribute to the quality of life of Jacksonville’s residents. Every year, non-profit organizations in the arts and cultural sector apply to receive City funded grants to help advance their missions and create broader access to the arts in Jacksonville.  
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
Picture
"Talking Continents" by Jaume Plensa
This program was designed to integrate art into public spaces, contributing to Duval County’s evolving and vibrant urban landscapes. The program promotes education about public art through its collection and related programming, raises the public’s awareness of their environment, and expands the region’s knowledge and understanding of the arts.
ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES
EVERY SINGLE ARTIST LOUNGE
Picture
Photo Credit: Toni Smailagic
This program was designed to build a network of support and facilitate communication amongst North Florida's artists, arts professionals, arts educators, and arts appreciators.
SYMPOSIUMS
Picture
Autumn Berrang of Adjective & Co.
This program was designed to equip artists in Northeast Florida with the knowledge and tools necessary to adopt and implement business strategies that will further their careers as artists.
CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
ARTIST LECTURE SERIES
Picture
Lecture by Janet Echelman
This program was designed to bring internationally renowned artists to Jacksonville to foster a deeper appreciation for the arts.
Big Picture: Creative Discourse Through Film and Literature
Picture
Book club at the Jacksonville Public Library
This program is designed to gathers people together to discuss films and the source materials that inspired the filmmakers. 
Public Art Week
Picture
"Harmonious Ascent," Aisling Millar McDonald
This annual event was designed to celebrate Jacksonville’s public art and highlight the benefits that are created when investments are made in art that is accessible by all. 
State of the Arts
Picture
Lily Yeh, State of the Arts 2017 Keynote Speaker
This annual event was designed to serve as a platform to highlight the efforts, achievements, and vitality of Northeast Florida's arts and cultural sector.
NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARTS AND CULTURE
Regional History
Picture
The Ritz Theater and Museum
Northeast Florida is rich in history.  Individuals have come from, and events have occurred in, Greater Jacksonville that are both culturally significant and historically important.
The Performing Arts
Picture
Jacksonville Dance Theatre. Photo credit: Trib La Prade.
Greater Jacksonville is home to a number of performing arts centers and theatres.  These venues offer diverse programming nearly 365 days a year. ​
The Literary Arts
Picture
Ebony Payne English reading at JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival
There are literary artists in Northeast Florida whose work span a wide variety of topics and genres.  These artists have been published as novelists, poets, scholars, and screenplay writers. ​
The Visual Arts
Picture
Work by Christina Grace Mastrangelo on exhibit at The Space Gallery
Northeast Florida has museums, galleries, and artist studios that serve the visual artists of our region.  There are also a number of non-traditional spaces that exhibit visual art.
Public Art
Picture
Shaun Thurston painting outside of Nighthawks
Jacksonville has a visual landscape that is full of murals, mosaics, paste-ups, and sculptures.  Public art can be found throughout the city, adorning both City-owned and privately owned surfaces. 
Live Musical Performances
Picture
Dan Andriano performing at 1904 Music Hall
On almost any given night of the week you can catch a musical performance at one of Jacksonville's concert halls,  bars, or coffee shops.
Arts Markets and Festivals
Picture
Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk
Neighborhoods throughout Greater Jacksonville host weekly and monthly art centric markets.  At these markets, individuals can purchase locally made arts and crafts, enjoy cuisine from food vendors, and listen to live music. 
Independent and Historic Movie Theaters
Picture
Twin Peaks themed restroom at Sun-Ray Cinema
Jacksonville is home to not one but two independent and historic movie theaters.  In addition to showing blockbusters, these theaters show independent and art house films and host special events.
Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops
Picture
Photographer Gideon Mendel leading a lecture at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville.
Artists, arts professionals, and arts educators in Jacksonville are eager to share their knowledge with others. Information is shared through a number of mediums, including lectures, seminars, and workshops. ​

STAFF

Joy Young
Executive Director
Joy@CulturalCouncil.org
904-358-3600 x 18
Amy Palmer
Director of grants adminISTRATION
​
Amy@CulturalCouncil.org
904-358-3600 x 14
Glenn Weiss
DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC ART
Art in public places​ 
Glenn@CulturalCouncil.org
904-358-3600 x 12
Hilda Ettedgui
PUBLIC ART 
Project manager
​
Hilda@CulturalCouncil.org
​904-358-3600 x 13
Megan Reid
Administrative Coordinator
Megan@CulturalCouncil.org
​904-358-3600 x 19
Ashley Wolfe
Program Coordinator
​Public art
Ashley@CulturalCouncil.org
904-358-3600 x 20
Ellen Cottrill
Coordinator for programs and public engagement
ellen@Culturalcouncil.org
​904-358-3600 x 11

HISTORY

​1973
Incorporation
Incorporated as The Arts Assembly of Jacksonville.  Founders included Helen Lane, Jacqueline Holmes, and Ann Baker.

​1976
First Annual Arts Awards 
Honored Jacksonville's cultural leaders with the first annual Arts Awards Luncheon.

​1983
The Florida Theatre
Re-opened the Florida Theatre as a performing arts center following an acquisition and renovation.

​1989
Grant Administration
Raised funds to create an endowment for individual artists and small arts organizations in partnership with The Community Foundation of Jacksonville.

​1990
Official Arts Agency for the City of Jacksonville
Designated as the official re-granting agency for arts and cultural organizations by the City of Jacksonville.

​1995
State of the Arts
Designated as the conduit for Florida "State of the Arts" license tag revenue to promote the arts in Duval County.

​1996
CANVAS
Founded Cultural Arts Network - Volunteers, Artists, and Students (CANVAS), a model employment program for at-risk youth that utilizes the arts.

​1997
Public Art
Successfully advocated for passage of Jacksonville's first Public Art Ordinance.

​2001
Cultural Service Capital Program
Launched the City of Jacksonville's Cultural Service Capital Program, for the renovation, acquisition, and construction of cultural facilities. 

​2006
Art in Public Places
Designated as the official administrative agency for the City of Jacksonville's Art in Public Places program.

​2013
SPARK
Launched SPARK initiative to help activate the downtown core as an arts and cultural district; 14 projects were funded over three grant cycles.

​2014
Ordinance Change
Successfully advocated for a change to Jacksonville's Public Art Ordinance to broaden the scope of public art. 

​2015
Artist Professional Development
Increased offerings to local artists through professional development workshops, a new artist registry, and a speaker series. 

​2016
Growth and Accomplishments
Host the 40th annual Arts Awards and honor 40 of Jacksonville's cultural leaders. Successfully launch the Cultural Service Internships and Cultural Export programs. 

2019
New Era in Equity
The first African American Women to become the executive director of the Cultural Council.