Celebrating Creativity, Expression, and Heritage
The St. Johns Cultural Council enriches the lives of residents and visitors by promoting St. Johns County as a premier destination for the arts. The Council celebrates creativity, expression, and heritage through initiatives and ongoing community support. Visitors to the area are often surprised and delighted by the diverse artistic offerings available from gallery exhibits and theater performances to workshops, public art, and heritage celebrations.
A key component of their outreach is a weekly newsletter, distributed electronically to more than 6,000 subscribers throughout St. Johns County. These newsletters expand on upcoming arts, culture, and heritage events, keeping the community informed. Their Council also oversees the Cultural Center at St. Augustine Beach.
Featuring Artists and Programs
The St. Johns Cultural Council's programs include Art in Public Spaces, ROWITA, Pathways: A Career in the Arts, Poetry Contests, and Cultural Tourism. Art in Public Spaces features selected artists whose work is displayed in the Rotunda Gallery for public viewing. ROWITA, Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Arts, honors women in St. Johns County who have demonstrated creativity, leadership, and contributions to the arts.
Pathways: A Career in the Arts connects creative professionals with the community through educational programming in literature, film, and the visual arts. The annual Haiku Poetry Contest invites residents of St. Johns County to submit original, unpublished poems inspired by themed guidelines. A dedicated committee judges the poems.
Cultural Tourism expands on the county's rich artistic, historical, and cultural experiences, aiming to engage locals and visitors. In addition to its programs, the Cultural Council supports arts institutions, cultural organizations, and events. The Council's website also offers grants for artists and tourism-related initiatives.