WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Free Concerts

In 1972 the Beaches Fine Arts Series began offering the people of the Jacksonville Metropolitan area the chance to enjoy world class music and dance in eight or nine free performances annually.  The stunning structure of St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach is the setting for the majority of our concerts. However, we bring our extraordinary artists to downtown Jacksonville at various venues at least once per season for our annual “Beach Meets West!” program, introducing a wider audience to our unique series.  Our programming encompasses an eclectic blend of styles from classical to contemporary, from jazz to world music and dance, from traditional to avant-garde.
Beaches Fine Arts Series has always been guided by the belief that great art celebrates our common humanity in a uniquely transcending way that breaks down the artificial boundaries of race, class, religion, education, age and economic status.  Our policy of not charging admission is based on this commitment.

Receptions & Art Exhibits

Following each of our concerts, community organizations host a reception in honor of the performers, where the audience may meet and chat with them.  At the reception we present an art exhibit featuring the work of visual artists from throughout the region.  Our community hosts include businesses, churches, philanthropic and service organizations and other arts organizations.

Educational Outreach

Each artist that presents on our series also performs at an education outreach for children in Duval County Schools.  Our programs are open to all schools, however we work closely with Duval County Music Coordinators and the Duval County Schools Equity Officer to assure that underserved and inner city youth participate.  We target those schools whose funding has limited the arts exposure all children should have, but many do not.  We pay for bus transportation to and from the concerts where children are entertained and have an opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

Extended Residency & Activity Books

Once per year, we host an artist or group for an entire week in an extended residency.  Specific and appropriate schools are selected to receive the artists in their classrooms for in-depth study.  We often times produce activity books and lesson plans for the teachers to relate art and music with core academic subjects including math, literacy and history.

Beach Meets West!

In 2003 we expanded our programming to include a larger concert that is held west of the Intracoastal to engage more people in Jacksonville.  This is also a way for us to partner with other arts organizations.  We have held concerts at The Florida Theatre, Jacoby Symphony Hall, St. John’s Cathedral, FCCJ South Campus and UNF Fine Arts Center, where we have hosted blockbuster performances by Celtic singers, Anuna; multiple Grammy-winning choral ensemble, Chanticleer; Les Ballets Africains from the Republic of Guinea; Imani Winds in a tribute to the anniversary of Josephine Baker’s 100th birthday; A Tribute to Benny Goodman with Richard Stoltzman and featuring the UNF Jazz Ensemble I; and most recently, Step Afrika!.  All of these performances were free to the public.

Montoya BFAST (Beaches Fine Arts Series Sprint Triathlons)

In 1986 the Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc. established the Beaches Fine Arts Series Sprint Triathlon Series in an effort to raise funds for the free music series and educational outreach programs offered to the communities of North Florida.  Each of the three races are held every year at Mickler’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach.  They include a .25-mile ocean swim, a 13.5-mile bike race, and a 3.1-mile run through the streets of Ponte Vedra.  Every year the athletic field grows and over the past two years our races have been sold-out to 500+ participants per race.

In 2008 Montoya Brower and Associates signed on as Title Sponsor for the race series.  Their continued commitment has led BFAS to incorporate the company name into the name of our race.  Any individual or company that involves itself with the Beaches Fine Arts Concert Series or with BFAS Racing enjoys association with one of highest quality arts and sporting events in the Southeast United States.   This year’s races are scheduled for May 15, June 12, June 27 and July 10.

Beaches Fine Arts Duathlon

March 21, 2010:  Beaches Fine Arts Series will host a duathlon consisting of a two-mile run followed by a 13-mile bike and another two-mile run.  This race is also sanctioned by the USAT and will be held at the Town of Nocatee.  The BFAS Duathlon will also be a fundraiser for our free concert and educational outreach programming. The Duathlon will be an addition to our family-friendly sporting events that support our free arts activities!

Registration for these races is open through www.Active.com or our website www.beachesfinearts.org. Contributions to the Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc. or the Montoya BFAST Series are tax-deductible donations.  The Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc. is a 501(c)3 federally tax exempt organization.

A note about SUSTAINABILITY…

From time to time we are asked how we manage to do what we do and not charge for our programs.  The Beaches Fine Arts Series is self-sustaining, and has been for 37 years, for several reasons.  Annually we have a giving drive where our upcoming season schedule is direct mailed to our patrons and those requesting to be on our mailing list.  Many of audience members give generously at this time.  Patrons who give $400 or more are given a special “ticket” for reserved seating at our concerts.  We also pass a donation basket during intermission at our concerts.  Some people drop a dollar in the basket, and some give $50 or $100.  Because our programs are free we do have many audience members that simply cannot afford to give, and that is fine.  Again, it is our mission that great music should be available to all, regardless of one’s ability to pay.
Beaches Fine Arts Series is also funded by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, as well as by many local businesses and foundations annually.  Aside from the altruistic value in supporting a sound and worthwhile charity that reaches so many people and students in Northeast Florida, there are many marketing opportunities for businesses wishing to gain exposure to the numerous segments of our society which we serve.  More information on the marketing benefits available through BFAS sponsorship can be obtained by calling our office at 270-1771.

The major fundraiser for BFAS is, oddly enough, our long-standing and uniquely successful sprint triathlon series held in May, June and July of each year.  2010 marks the 24th anniversary for the BFAST Series, now known as Montoya BFAST, and we expect to once again fill our races with 1800 athletes who travel from all over the country to compete in our nationally recognized and USA Triathlon sanctioned event.  Because of the success of our triathlons, we have added a Duathlon (March 21, 2010) and a Youth Triathlon (June 27, 2010) to this season’s events. Proceeds from our triathlon series continue to grow and this event contributes a large percentage to our annual budget, keeping our world-class concert series free!

It is our excellence in programming and our steady and thoughtful growth that keeps the Beaches Fine Arts Series a solid investment for our many supporters.  It is the fact that our overhead is very low; we maintain a professionally audited and balanced budget; and when we need help with any of the many programs we offer, we can call on the 200+ volunteers and Board members who freely give of their time and energy.  We are an organization that touches so many people in our community.  We’ve been around for 37 years and we have no doubt that we will be presenting free world-class concerts and educational outreach programs for another 37 years!

Mission Statement

To promote and enhance the cultural life of all of the people of Florida’s First Coast by presenting an annual series of outstanding musical, theatrical and dance performances and exhibits of visual art, by supporting educational outreach activities that encourage participation in, and appreciation of, the fine arts and by nurturing emerging artists.

Anti Discrimination Statement

The Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc., does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, creed, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin.

Diversity Statement

"Recognizing that the arts and culture are among our most vital tools for bringing diverse people together, the Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc., seeks to enhance the dimensions of diversity, which included ethnicity, race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic considerations and geographic location, throughout all aspects of governance, programming and outreach."