First Coast Cultural Center (formerly The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach) has served the community for more than 26 years as a gathering place to learn, experience and appreciate the arts and culture in its many forms.
The nonprofit provides opportunities for adults, children and families through classes, exhibits, programs, services, activities and memberships open to the local community, and beyond.
The social sector organization continues to deliver performances this year with milestone fundraisers to help fund programs and services in a broad range of the humanities for adults and children. With the completion of 18 summer camps at three different locations throughout St. Johns County, 12 of the camp sessions were sold out. The nonprofit’s many accomplishments were fulfilled during all phases of the pandemic while following CDC guidelines.
Notably, with the St. Johns County public school year beginning on Monday, Aug. 16, First Coast Cultural Center is starting its 16th year of music therapy for children with special needs. Sound Connections Music Therapy has expanded from four St. Johns County schools to six, including two Title 1 schools. The outreach is provided at no cost to the school district or parents, and three nationally-board certified music therapists use music experiences to help children reach their educational goals. The expansion is supported by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund and The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.
Additionally, Sound Connections private music therapy sessions are available. Contact board-certified music therapist, Minda Gordon at (904) 993.8940 or email MGordon@ccpvb.org. To learn more, go to firstcoastculturalcenter.org/arts-outreach/outreach-programs.
On Monday, Aug. 30, the nonprofit is starting its fall semester, and second year of Kick StART, an after-school art enrichment program which has grown from two schools to eight schools in the burgeoning county, and is also available online.
The visual arts program started at Palm Valley Academy with two classes and at Osceola Elementary, a Title 1 school in the southern part of St. Johns County. This year, the program follows the organization’s mission to bring art into the lives of more young people to establish student learning relationships and communications with professional art teachers.
Go to firstcoastculturalcenter.org/arts-programs/youth-arts-programs.
Adult classes, lectures and workshops are open to novice and professional artists and musicians with programs designed to enhance the creative process. A variety of class pricing and membership levels are available.
The programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affair, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. For more, go to to firstcoastculturalcenter.org/arts-programs/adult-arts-programs.
According to Donna Guzzo, president and executive director of First Coast Cultural Center, the Cultural Center staff along with dedicated longtime and new volunteers strive to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission to continue bringing the arts into the life of the community through education, exhibits and outreach, and by honoring a donor-driven philosophy.
For more information and to register for children’s and adult classes, call (904) 280-0614, ext. 1206 or go to firstcoastculturalcenter.org.
First Coast Cultural Center is located at 3972 3rd St. South in Jacksonville Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with after-hour appointments available.
