In the past few years we have seen an increase in murals all over Jacksonville. In just the past month there's been enough mural activity around town to fill a whole newsletter! Read on about some exciting projects, both inside and out.

You've probably seen the beautiful new JRTC building rising out of the heart of the historic Lavilla neighborhood, as you pass downtown. The geometric design in striking shades of blue on the unique curved structure is an impressive site. What you probably don't know is what's inside. The JTA has commissioned a series of custom wall murals illustrating the history of regional transportation in Jacksonville that highlights African American achievement, along with a rotating collection of artwork from over 60 of Northeast Florida’s most innovative and talented artists. This installation was done in concert with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, CoRK Arts District and the Jones Worley agency to create a sense of place and a living monument to the historic and often forgotten impact this neighborhood has had on Jacksonville and the nation, including the early civil rights movement, transportation and logistics, the influence of jazz music and African American culture. 

Jacksonville Transportation Authority is a nominee for this year's Corporate Business of the Year Award and a proud presenting sponsor for the Small Business of the Year.  Read more about the September 2nd Arts Awards, BRIDGES: CONNECTING ARTS, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY.

Color Jax Blue is an initiative by the 6 Ft. Away Gallery to bring local Black Artists and voter advocacy groups together to inspire Jacksonville citizens to unite and turn out the vote. Founders, Shawana Brooks and Roosevelt Watson III, are collaborating with local artists and influencers from our community to create and curate visual, performing and literary artwork that will promote dialogue and influence public opinion to create sustainable change. Shawana and Roosevelt are nominees for this year's Helen Lane Founders Award.

Read more about the September 2nd Arts Awards,

BRIDGES: CONNECTING ARTS, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY.

From August 11th to the 22nd, ArtRepublic will be creating thirteen new public art installations. With creative direction from Malc Jax, Christopher Parsons and Ennis Davis, ArtRepublic is producing the city’s first large-scale project curated specifically to reflect the city’s authentic, multicultural identity and history. Along with several nationally known artists, regional artists, Anthony Rooney, Toni Smailagić, Christopher Clark, and Steven Teller are part of this impactful project. Mural tours will be made available through ArtRepublic’s official tour partner Go Tuk’n.

Participating artist Toni Smailagić is a nominee for this year's Robert Arleigh White Award for Advocacy. Read more about the September 2nd Arts Awards,

BRIDGES: CONNECTING ARTS, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY.

On the corner of Adams and Ocean, in downtown Jacksonville, real estate company Petra commissioned Nicole Holderbaum and other local artists to create temporary murals for the outside of the currently building - creating a vibrant visual tapestry to all who go by. 

Petra is a nominee for our Small Business of the Year Award and Nicole Holderbaum is a nominee for the Community Impact award. 

Read more about the September 2nd Arts Awards,

BRIDGES: CONNECTING ARTS, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY.

The projects listed here are just the most recent. There are so many new murals in Jacksonville we can't list them all. Hidden Jacksonville is working on a collaborative project to put all the Duval County murals into an interactive  and user-friendly app. If you know of a lesser known mural and would like to help Hidden Jacksonville collect all the information, email [email protected]. You MUST include the mural location, artist name (look for it on the mural), your name and IG tag for contribution credit.

Duval County Courthouse Plaza project will transform the three-acre lawn into a work of public art for the citizens and visitors of Jacksonville. To find the best design to transform the urban space, the Art in Public Places committee has appointed an Art Selection Panel. In the fall of 2020, the panel will select three artists to imagine a new courthouse plaza. 

The new Arts Directory of Greater Jacksonville offers several benefits to individual artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. One of these benefits is receiving information about calls to artists as soon as we receive them. This means that members of the listing will know about opportunities, like the ones above, up to a week before we announce them in our newsletters.

Click below to learn more about the Arts Directory. A growing resource to find and be found, for anything arts and culture related in the area.

We so excited to share all the exciting things being planned for our virtual extravaganza! 

Click the image for information about the event and the fun Pre-Awards Cocktail Party with Chef's Garden Events and Catering! 

Check our calendar of events to see just some of the wonderful things going on in our community.

Click here to view our online calendar and add your events. 

Under the new "CARES Act," there are incentives for charitable giving to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations such as the Cultural Council.

Taxpayers who do not itemize their returns: New regulations allow a tax deduction of up to $300 for cash charitable contributions to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations during the 2020 calendar year.

Taxpayers who itemize their returns:The limit on the total percentage of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) eligible for the charitable deduction has been lifted entirely.