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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DIRECTORS UPDATE
Spring is upon us! It has been a time cherished by humans for centuries; awaited with fervor and optimism. Spring pagan festivals celebrated during the vernal equinox, honor the return of warmth, fertility and the relief and victory of light over winter darkness. It marks the beginning of a warmth, light, and the beauty nature will provide. In Old English Spring means- to burst forth, to grow, to open. Fertility and growth were celebrated in rituals often focusing on planting seeds, gardening and celebrating the return of flora and fauna. Traditional symbols of spring are eggs- offering new life, and potential; rabbits-signifying abundance and fertility and of course, flowers. The new season also offers change - refresh, renew, new beginnings and hope. Some want change, some not; some changes are planned, but some are also uninvited. Regardless, change is one part of the emotional trigger the spring season brings upon us and the seasons affect our emotions, our relationships and mood. One reason everyone can relate to art is that we all are subject to the external factors that affect our emotions and personal experiences and a seasonal change can bring that about. Life is art- Art is life.
Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness which is tied to our mood. Art trains the mind through the eye and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.” – (John Lubbock 1913). The fact that art is so connected to the human experience makes it unsurprising that we have always made it part of our way of living. Art enhances and relieves stress in our lives and adds to the quality of life. Art helps to communicate what artists feel, want you to see, or to believe. The seasonal changes and nature have always been a strong influence and significant factor on humans and artists, and art can express the experience of the Spring season in many ways.
For artists, writers, and composers across cultures and centuries, they see spring as a symbol of renewal, beauty, and transformation. Their works span mythology, landscape, still life, and allegory, each capturing a different facet of the season’s energy.
Some of these prominent artists are- Sandro Botticelli- Primavera 1480; Giuseppe Arcimboldo- Spring 1573; Katsushika Hokusai- Bullfinch and Weeping Cherry 1834; Claude Monet-In Springtime 1872; Camille Pissarro- Plum Trees in Blossom, 1886; Van Gogh-Almond Blossom, 1890. Their works were inspired by the sensual and emotional power of Spring. Its colors, light, warmth and scent. Artists celebrated rebirth and renewal: blossoming trees, new growth, and light (Van Gogh, Pissarro). Personifications of spring, fertility, and seasonal cycles (Botticelli, Arcimboldo). Everyday life with people enjoying gardens, fashion, and seasonal rituals (Monet, Bonnard). Many painted still life pieces bursting with flowers, sometimes combining blooms from different seasons to heighten beauty.
Music and song also bring out certain emotions and feelings as well as providing inspiration or boosting people’s morale. Composers who also celebrated Spring. Antonio Vivaldi — Spring from The Four Seasons; Ludwig van Beethoven — Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”; Robert Schumann — Symphony No. 1 “Spring”; Frederick Delius — On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring; Igor Stravinsky — The Rite of Spring; Jean Sibelius — Spring Song; Aaron Copland — Appalachian Spring.
So, get out and enjoy the season! Support and celebrate our local arts organizations and artists.
“Arts bring us together and culture is what we share”.
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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Experience Art and Culture locally.
. Explore our diverse range of art programs, exhibits, and events. Join us to experience the magic of art.
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