Cultural Council announces arts awards and winners

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville has announced one of their most anticipated events of the year: the 47th annual Arts Awards will take place on Oct. 4 at the Florida Blue Conference Center. The event will honor this year’s award winners with an unforgettable evening celebration.

As the City of Jacksonville’s official leading Local Arts Agency, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville stands as the preeminent cultural organization in Northeast Florida and has served as the steward of the city’s funding for arts and culture nonprofits and organizations for decades.

The Cultural Council currently manages the Cultural Service Grant Program, serving more than 30 local cultural nonprofits that provide the city more than $114 million in creative economic impact, and manages the city’s Art in Public Places program.

This year’s intentional “Futuristic” themed event captures the innovative and creative future of Jacksonville’s cross-sector momentum, with arts and culture as the defining thread of success that runs through them all.

This dynamic annual event serves as the Cultural Council’s largest annual fundraiser for regranting and matchmaking funding needed in real-time for the community.

“Through a 47-year tradition, we have had the honor of highlighting our preeminent artists, cultural leaders and catalysts from our local communities, and championing the impact these individuals and businesses have on our city as whole,” said Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville Executive Director Diana Donovan.

The winners in each of the categories are:

• Helen Lane Founders Award, which honors a leader who integrates arts and culture into everyday life within their community: Jason Peoples, Executive Director of Jacksonville Arts & Music School (JAMS)

• Corporate Business of the Year, which honors a business that graciously gives support to arts and cultural programs and organizations: PNC Bank

• Robert Arleigh White Award For Advocacy, which honors an individual who fosters an environment of educating and learning of the benefits of the arts: Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood, program director, The Performance Academy

• Small Business of the Year, which honors an organization that has fewer than 250 employees and graciously gives support to arts and cultural programs and organizations despite its size: The Walrus 

• Art Innovator, which honors an individual who creates new and innovative ideas to benefit the community: David Luckin, music director and radio host, WJCT

• Art Educator, which honors an individual who demonstrates dedication to enriching their students with a passion for the arts: Amanda Holloway, art educator at GOCA Arts

• Art of Giving, which honors an individual or couple who stewards their resources to fund, support and sustain arts and culture programs: Carol Grimes, arts advocate and philanthropist

• Community Impact Award, which honors an individual or organization who has a record of visible transformational results that are evident within their community, and a commitment to impacting others’ lives: John Silveira, manager and director of Riverside Arts Market

Limited tickets are available for the Arts Awards. To secure your tickets, find more information about the 2024 Arts Awards or to read full bios on award winners, go to culturalcouncil.org/artsawards.