Empowering Local Arts and Culture Leaders
Advocating for collaboration and growth in Nassau County arts.
Empowering Local Arts and Culture Leaders
Advocating for collaboration and growth in Nassau County arts.
Our Mission
The Arts Leaders Forum, is dedicated to advocating for the arts and culture nonprofit organizations in Nassau County, Florida. Our mission is to support and educate local art leaders to foster a vibrant community that values artistic expression and events.
THE ORGANIZATIONS
Amelia Community Theatre – ameliacommunitytheatre.org
Amelia Island Book Festival – Literacy | Amelia Island Book Festival | Florida
Amelia Island Jazz Festival – ameliaislandjazzfestival.com
Amelia Island Museum of History – ameliamuseum.org
Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival – ameliachambermusic.org
Amelia Musical Playhouse – ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
Friends of the Nassau County Library – fernandinafol.org
Island Art Association – islandart.org
West Nassau Historical Society – wnhsfl.org
Amelia Island Singers – ameliaislandsingers.com
Amelia Island Quilt Guild – ameliaquilters.org
Amelia Island Writers Assoc. – ameliaislandwriters.org
Amelia Island Dance Festival – ameliaislanddancefestival.org
Arts Alive Nassau – artsalivenassau.org
Amelia Island Opera – ameliaislandopera.org
Blue Fire Theatre – bluefiretheatre.org
Country Star Quilters – countrystarquilters.org
Story and Song Center for Arts and Culture – StoryandSongArts.org
Friends of Fort Clinch – fortclinch.org
Friends of American Beach – friendsofamericanbeach.org
Yulee Historic Council – https://www.facebook.com/groups
Pirates Club of Fernandina Beach – fernandinapirates.com
Northeast FL Fair – www.neflfair.org
Nassau Community Band – https://www.facebook.com/NassauCommunityBand/
West Nassau Arts Alliance- facebook.com/@wnaasocial
ABOUT THE ARTS LEADERS FORUM
Forum Members
Vision and Purpose
Vision and Purpose
We have been promoting the arts in our community for over 5 years. Our organization was founded by a group of passionate artists who wanted to make a difference in their community.
2.23.2026 meeting notes:
Vision and Purpose
Vision and Purpose
Vision and Purpose
Our purpose is to provide a forum for the arts and culture organization leaders to Connect the leaders; Confer with county and city leaders; and Collaborate among the organizations. We also provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with other creatives in the community. We aim to promote diversity, creativity, and collaboration in the arts for all in Nassau County, FL
Our Events
Vision and Purpose
Our Events
We host a variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibitions, workshops, and performances. Our events are open to everyone and are a great way to get involved in the arts community.
SAVE THE DATE
MAKE MUSIC DAY 2026
JUNE 21. Downtown Amelia Island and Wildlight.
www.makemusicday.org/nassaucounty
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DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
What brings people together, has healing power, inspires, and has the unique ability to represent a culture? Music is that gift. It is part of celebrating patriotic events, and a way to commemorate and remember special moments in our lives. Whether it’s at a wedding, funeral or any other special occasion, music makes the moment memorable. Music, like a mirror, reflects the heartbeat of a culture and gives voice to anyone and everyone to express themselves, and so, music has always been a big deal for us humans. Throughout history, music has served as a powerful medium for self-expression, offering individuals a resonant outlet to convey their feelings and experiences. Think about early humans chilling in caves – they didn’t have smartphones or TV, but they sure had music. They’d gather around fires, hum tunes, and play on basic instruments. This wasn’t just for fun; it was a way to bond, entreat their gods, and feel good. For many, music is a source of solace and relaxation, and a way to communicate and tell a story; it can even improve our workouts! Moreover, it constantly proves that no matter what people say, when the music starts, they feel it and anyone really can dance!
Make Music Day Nassau is all about music anyone and everyone can make! It is a venue for singers and musicians in our community. Folks who have taken lessons as kids, played in their HS band, or started a garage band, can still feel the joy and pleasure of making music; they/you are our target participants. Some, still amateurs, and others moved onto professional status, now have an opportunity to get out and perform! Join us on June 21, 2026, downtown Fernandina Beach and Wildlight in Yulee, to perform or visit Make Music Day Nassau. It is a great example of why Amelia Island and Nassau County is one of the state’s cultural capitals. Artistic talent can be found overflowing the streets in cities and small communities. At last year’s event, we heard young students from the music schools, students from the marching bands, retirees who can still feel the groove, all making music. We heard opera, folk, jazz and rock performed downtown on Centre Street. Make Music Day Nassau gives all our residents and visitors a chance to experience the city’s diverse musical riches from their own neighbors and friends. This event is BY the people and not just FOR the people-in this event, the people are making music. Open to everyone- young, old, professional or amateur. Completely different from traditional music festivals, Make Music Day Nassau is a one day a year free event open to anyone wanting to participate.
Make Music Day Nassau is part of International Make Music Day, (www.makemusicday.org), a worldwide global music celebration taking place on the summer solstice each year for all ages and skill levels coming together to make music. This year, over 150 U.S. cities will host thousands of
Make Music Day performances across the country on the same day. You can join the world in this celebration at the 2nd annual Make Music Day Nassau, a wonderful wild mix of free public musical events, taking place in Nassau County on Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11am-5pm.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique and has spread to over 2,000 cities across the globe. From classical to rock; singers and live music of all kinds will resound on streets, sidewalks, porches, plazas, parks, gardens, store fronts and other public spaces on the longest day of the year with performances from individual amateurs to world-class ensembles. Make Music Day Nassau offers all our residents and visitors a chance to join the rest of the world in this celebration, while experiencing our county and city’s musical diversity. Free to all!
This year our sponsoring partner is -Story and Song Center for Arts and Culture- thank you!
For more information and for performers to take part-simply sign up at: www.makemusicday.org/nassaucounty
Reviews
What Arts & Community Leaders are saying-
Under the leadership of Richard at NCAC, this group deserves all the support that our area's government and private groups can give them. They do indeed make a difference.
- John Hendricks, President, West Nassau Historical Society.
I am writing to endorse Richard Restiano. I have had the privilege of collaborating closely with Richard and observed his unwavering commitment to enhancing the arts and culture landscape of our county.
- Kim Rust, Director, Arts Alive Nassau.
On behalf of the Yulee Historic Council, I would like to express our appreciation for the work and mission of Richard Restiano and NCAC. Through his efforts key people around the county have now been introduced to our project- a living museum depicting life in early Nassau County. His efforts in introducing me to key leaders has been a great start. We are thankful for Richard and The arts council in Nassau.
- Angie McClellan, President, Yulee Historic Council.
One of the most promising and influential events in which I have participated has been the bi-annual Arts Leaders Forum, organized by Richard Restiano. Joining over 25 different arts organizations and their leaders, the commitment and engagement of individuals and their group goals were both powerful and enlightening. I highly support the efforts of Mr. Restiano in his goals and efforts for the arts.
- Ann Freemen, Board Member, Friends of the Library
Richard, you came along and breathed new life in the arts council and it has been my pleasure to participate in the Arts Leaders Forum which you established. It brings together the growing number of organizations together to exchange ideas and foster collaborative events and agendas. I thank you for your leadership.
- Marla J. McDaniel, Amelia Island Writers Festival.
Richard, your work to improve the appreciation, accessibility, and cultural opportunities for the arts makes our community a more vibrant place to live.
- Aaron Bean, Member of Congress
THANK YOU ALL. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS AND CONTINUE TO GROW THEM COUNTY-WIDE. RR.
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