Arts and Culture in Jacksonville, FL

Arts and culture can help us enrich our lives, understand our history, and connect to our communities. Here at Keith Pierson Toyota, we’re proud to serve a city as steeped in art and culture as Jacksonville. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the local theater, music venues, art, museums, and cultural centers to check out around town.

Theater

Jacksonville has a thriving theater scene, ranging from large professional productions to intimate community theater events. Whether you’re looking for a feel-good musical or a play that will turn your worldview on its head, there’s no better way to spend an evening than by enjoying the talent of local artists with a night out at the theater. Here are a few well-known Jacksonville theater groups you can check out around town:

• Theatre Jacksonville: This theater company has been enriching lives in Jacksonville since its founding in 1919, making it the longest-running community theater in the city. The 2022 season has included “A Walk in the Woods,” “Slow Food,” and “Ragtime.”
  
• The Alhambra Theatre: At this unique dinner theater destination, you can enjoy a three-course meal and professional performances. The 2022 Alhambra Theatre schedule includes “Guys and Dolls,” “The Play that Goes Wrong,” “Rock of Ages,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grumpy Old Men,” “42nd Street,” “Ghost the Musical,” and “White Christmas.”
• FSCJ Artist Series Broadway: If you’re interested in professional Broadway productions right here in Jacksonville, you’ll be happy to know that this organization presents national and international tours, including musicals, concerts, ballets, and beyond. The 2022/2023 season includes Broadway hits like “Aladdin,” “Elf,” “Pretty Woman the Musical,” “Mean Girls the Musical,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Music

From classical to contemporary, there’s plenty of live music to enjoy around town. You can head downtown to hear the newest hip band or sit back for an evening with an instrumental quartet. Here are just a few music venues you can visit in Jacksonville:

• 1904 Music Hall: Named after the year the building was originally built, 1904 Music Hall is a live music venue in downtown Jacksonville that hosts musical artists from a wide variety of genres and backgrounds. Upcoming performances include Ward Davis, Potterless Podcast, I Showed Up In Boots: A Country Dance Party, City Morge, Josh A: The Live Show Experience, and Doobie with special guests Caskey and Hylyte.
• Friday Musicale: With two beautiful venues, the Auditorium and L’Engle Hall, Friday Musicale has been hosting free live concerts since 1890. Recent performers include the Vega String Quartet and the 1st Coast Flute Choir.
• The Arena: This live concert venue produces thrilling events with renowned musical artists, lavish special effects, and incredible lighting and sound systems. All Arena shows are free and open to the public. Recent hits include “Lost In Wonderland,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Salvage,” and “Alcatraz.”

Art

Visiting an art museum or gallery can be a great way to spend time with a friend or loved one while feasting your eyes and imagination on incredible artistic works. At a museum or gallery, you can often view exciting art pieces from history through the modern day. Jacksonville can offer both, including the following three art destinations you won’t want to miss out on:

• Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville: This modern museum has both a permanent collection and a rotating set of contemporary exhibitions to enjoy. “Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick,” a current guest exhibition, includes more than 80 prints, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and film pieces by artist Kara Walker.
• The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens: This beautiful museum contains over 5,000 pieces of art to enjoy. You can also explore the surrounding gardens, visit guest exhibitions, attend masterclasses, or enroll children in exciting kids classes.
• Mussallem Galleries: Established in 1897, this 90,000-square-foot gallery contains a wide range of art, including pieces with origins in China, Japan, Russia, North America, and Europe. The museum also contains antique furniture, oriental rugs, and objets d’art.

Museums and Cultural Centers

Where better to immerse yourself in local culture than at one of the fascinating Jacksonville museums or cultural centers? You can learn more about the city’s history, discover hidden talents, and connect with new communities by visiting your local museum. Here are a few wonderful local museums and cultural centers to visit the next time you’re searching for a family outing or a rainy day activity:

• Jacksonville Area Museum: If you’re interested in diving deep into the history of Jacksonville, look no further than the Jacksonville Area Museum. The mission of this organization is to collect, preserve, interpret, and appreciate the local history and cultural context, and it does so through exciting exhibits that include artifacts, art, and informational text.
• Ritz Theatre and Museum: This music venue is based in La Villa, a historical African American community once known as the Harlem of the South. Today, the Ritz Theatre and Museum hosts music, arts, and culture events that can connect contemporary audiences to African American history and storytelling.
• First Coast Cultural Center: The mission of this organization is to connect local community members with the arts through exhibits, programs, classes, workshops, and other events. Recent workshops include adult art classes, a charcoal art workshop for high school students, and virtual music lessons.

There you have it, we’ve listed some of the top venues for arts and culture here in Jacksonville, Florida. Did we miss your favorite music hall or art gallery? You can let us know by sending us a message online or calling us at 888-461-3879.

While you’re at it, you can take a look at our fantastic inventory of new cars or available pre-owned vehicles. If you see something you like, our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have to get you on the road in your new car so you can roll up to your next cultural event in style. You can also stop by our dealership for a visit at 6501 Youngerman Circle in Jacksonville. 

Russian Ballet Theater by cantanima is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

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