49th Annual Arts Awards

MAY 9, 2026

Join us for a bold, multi-level experience at Decca Live—blending recognition, immersive moments, & dynamic networking throughout the evening.

As the Cultural Council’s largest annual fundraiser, the Arts Awards recognize artistic excellence, celebrate the creative economy, and strengthen public-private partnerships. With 92 cents of every dollar returning directly to the arts and culture sector, your support creates a more vibrant Northeast Florida.

Cocktail-style, designed for mingling (limited seating).

Not a gala. An experience.

Neon Noir celebrates the people and organizations who ignite the way for the creative sector.

Driving the city forward, these destination builders are leaving an effervescent glow long after the awards end.

2026 Award Winners

DORIS MCNEILL

Art Educator

DEREK TRUCKS & SUSAN TEDESCHI

Art of Giving

WILLIE EVANS JR.

Art Innovator

KADY YELLOW

Community Impact

DARREN DAILEY

Robert Arleigh White Award For Advocacy

LOL JAX FILM FESTIVAL

Small Business of the Year

GFWC JACKSONVILLE BEACHES WOMAN'S CLUB

Corporate Business of the Year

KANDICE CLARK

Helen Lane Founders Award

2026 CREATIVE CATALYST

Bryan Moll

Bryan Moll is the CEO of Gateway Jax in Jacksonville, a local real estate investment and development company. Bryan has over 20 years of real estate development experience across multiple asset classes, specializing in large-scale, mixed-use projects. He has entitled, designed, capitalized and/or constructed over $6 billion in stabilized value in multiple jurisdictions, including in the Tampa, FL and Washington, DC metro areas.

Prior to Gateway Jax, Bryan was an Executive Vice President for JBG Smith where he led a team overseeing numerous mixed-use development projects in the Washington, DC area. He was primarily focused on National Landing in Arlington County, VA, adjacent to Amazon’s HQ2. When fully built out, JBG Smith’s portfolio in National Landing will include over 5,000 multifamily units, 200,000 square feet of retail and more than 500,000 square feet of trophy, class-A office space.

In addition to National Landing, Bryan also oversaw the master planning, entitlement, and design of the Gallaudet project in Washington, DC’s Union Market submarket. This approximately $700 million project will deliver over 1,500 multifamily units and 100,000 square feet of retail across three city blocks in a unique partnership with Gallaudet University, the nation’s largest deaf and hard-of-hearing university.

Prior to JBG Smith, Bryan was the Executive Vice President for SPP in Tampa, FL. SPP is the owner and developer of Water Street Tampa, a $3.5 billion development in downtown Tampa. Bryan assembled and managed a team responsible for the entitlement, design, capitalization, and construction of its first phase, including 1,325 units in four buildings, 360,000 square feet of trophy office space, 175,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and amenity space, and 800, 4-and 5-star hotel keys in two separately flagged buildings.

Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in Planning and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and he remains an avid Buffs fan. He and his husband, Matt, have been married for 8 years. Together they reside with their dog Bailey, whom they rescued 11 years ago. Bryan and Matt actively support Feeding America programs, along with Habitat for Humanity and other local community programs focused on improving people’s lives via the built environment

MOODBOARD. MORE ART. MORE CULTURE. MORE VIBE.

Thank you to our sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Award Sponsors

PATRON Sponsors

ADVOCATE Sponsors

Entertainment Sponsors

Beverage partners

2026 Arts Awards Nominations Are Closed

Nominations are closed for the 49th Annual Arts Awards.

Become an Arts Awards Sponsor

For more information, contact Janet Wesley, Director of Development, janet@culturalcouncil.org.

2025 Arts Awards Winners & Catalyst Recognition

Art Educator: Don Zentz
Art of Giving: Renee Favo
Art Innovator: Brian Niece
Community Impact: Kemal Gasper
Robert Arleigh White Award for Advocacy: John A. Lumpkin II
Small Business of the Year: Blue Jay Listening Room
Corporate Business of the Year: Leadership Jacksonville
Helen Lane Founders Award: Dr. Milt Russos
Catalyst Recognition: Diane Brunet-García

Relive the Magic

View photos and the video to see the highlights that made this event truly special.

Arts Awards media coverage

Big Celebrations at Blue Jay Listening Room

News4Jax
Blue Jay turns 8 and has a big celebration party planned. Mix in that Cara and the venue won the Best Small Business Award from the Cultural Council and the energy for the party elevates.

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Celebrating art in Jacksonville with the Cultural Council

News4Jax
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ), the City of Jacksonville’s legislated leading Local Arts Agency (LAA), will host its 48th Annual Arts Awards, presented by AT&T, on September 5.

Learn More

Celebrating the Arts in Jacksonville

WJXT
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ), the City of Jacksonville’s legislated leading Local Arts Agency (LAA), will host its 48th Annual Arts Awards, presented by AT&T, on September 5.

Learn More

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville Presents the 48th Annual Arts Awards

First Coast News

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Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville announces Arts Awards winners

The Recorder
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ) will host its 48th Annual Arts Awards, presented by AT&T, on Sept. 5 at the Florida Blue Conference Center.

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The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ) announced the top picks for its 48th Annual Arts Awards

Florida Politics
‘For nearly five decades, the Arts Awards have recognized creative leaders, cultural catalysts and artistic innovators who are defining Jacksonville’s thriving creative economy,’ said Diana Donovan, executive director of the CCGJ. ‘This year’s Fire & Ice theme reflects the dynamic forces that fuel both quality of life and economic growth. When fire and ice meet, they make STEAM – a powerful symbol of how science, technology, engineering, arts and math intersect to drive our city forward.’

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BIT OF JOY | 2025 Arts Awards winners

Jax Today
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville just announced the winners of its 2025 Arts Awards. The awards honor Jacksonville’s creative leaders and innovators and the people who support the city’s arts and culture:

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NOT A GALA. AN EXPERIENCE.

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