Local Arts Agency joins City Council Member Terrance Freeman and Cultural Service Grantees (CSGs) for Art Presentation | The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ), in partnership with City Council Member Terrance Freeman, and Cultural Service Grantees (CSGs) the Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) and the Jacksonville Arts & Music School (JAMS), today celebrated the presentation of an artwork from the “Next Generation” exhibition: a collection of work created by students living and attending school in Duval County.
Representatives from each organization joined the Cultural Council Executive Director Diana Donovan and Council Member and former Council President Freeman to present the artwork and a certificate of recognition to Ms. Gerrie Ford-Hardin, secretary to Council Member Freeman, in honor of her extensive service during Council Member Freeman’s tenure as Council President, that took place at City Hall.
“As the City’s Local Arts Agency (LAA), we believe in the transformative power that arts and culture bring to our city’s economic vitality, while improving educational outcomes and providing a creative and dynamic space for youth and residents to thrive in our communities,” said Diana Donovan, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. “We are proud to honor Ms. Gerrie and her dedicated service and leadership to the City of Jacksonville through the presentation of this artwork that serves as a representation of our next generation, as well as celebrates the larger arts and cultural partnership to the betterment of Jacksonville’s quality of life. Together, we are better.”
“The works from ‘Next Generation’ were representative of our local students’ lived experience –– something I have always been passionate about,” said Council Member Terrance Freeman. “These student artworks represent future artists and creatives who will change this city and the world. I am honored to share a piece of this wonderful collection with Ms. Ford-Hardin in honor of her years of dedicated service to both me personally, and to the youth of Jacksonville who participated in this exhibition, by presenting her with this one-of-a-kind artwork.”
The artwork presented, titled “Sonic,” was created during an art as therapy program in the summer of 2022, hosted by CAP at Hope Haven and Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, in partnership with JAMS. Groups of students were process-art focused, meaning emphasis was placed on the experience of artmaking, rather than the final product, with the goal of self-expression through artmaking, sensory integration and building self-esteem.
The “Next Generation” exhibition was championed by Council Member Freeman as part of his commitment to the youth of Jacksonville for greater hope, healing and unity. The CCGJ supported the effort, bringing together the independent organizations to provide the curriculum and expertise to students. The resulting collection was installed in the Council chambers from December 2022 through June 2023. The full exhibition was unveiled in a special holiday celebration in the lobby of City Hall in December of 2022, allowing parents and students to see their artwork displayed proudly in the halls where elected officials walk each day.
“The important work we do at CAP is made possible in part by grants received through the Cultural Services Grant Program,” said Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, President & CEO of CAP. “We work diligently to make sure children have access to arts programming, regardless of their backgrounds, and believe every child’s creative spirit should be nourished. We are excited for this student’s work to be passed on to a worthy leader like Ms. Ford-Hardin.”
“At JAMS, we believe in empowering the creative leaders of tomorrow and supporting their artistic endeavors,” said Jason Peoples, Executive Director of JAMS. “Knowing that our youth continue to demonstrate how an investment in art is an investment in developing leadership is our greatest accomplishment. Honoring Ms. Gerrie with this piece of student work represents the prize our community believes art and culture to be and pays tribute to her dedicated life of service to our City.”
The dedication was made possible in partnership with the CCGJ, Council Member Freeman, CAP and JAMS. Organizations like these are recipients of Cultural Service Grant Program awards made possible through the City of Jacksonville and stewarded by the CCGJ.
To learn more about the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, its Cultural Service Grants program, or to get involved with their mission, visit culturalcouncil.org.
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About the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville aims to enrich life in Northeast Florida by investing in Arts and Culture. Founded 50 years ago, the Cultural Council operates as a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is designated as the official Local Arts Agency (LAA) by ordinance for the City of Jacksonville. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and provides a range of services to ignite the creative economy and to address the ever-changing needs of the arts and cultural sector and broader community. Learn more at culturalcouncil.org.
About CAP
The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of arts education and therapeutic programs for children and young adults in Northeast Florida. CAP’s mission is to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field and advocate for access and equity in arts education. Learn more at capkids.org.
About JAMS
Jacksonville Arts & Music School JAMS (founded in 2015), is a creative youth development organization with a mission to empower the creative leaders of tomorrow today, using arts education as the conduit for improving learning skills and self-confidence. We aim to be the premier destination for youth transformation.
At JAMS, under the guidance of professional teaching artists and mentors, students are provided a safe, supportive environment in which to learn and grow in arts education. Services include after school, evening, and weekend programming for students in grades 4 through 12.
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