ABOUT BFAS

 

Mission Statement

To enrich our communities by sharing the transforming power of music and art, free to all.

Concert Season

Since 1972, Beaches Fine Arts Series has offered people of North Florida the chance to enjoy world-class music and dance in an annual season of performances, all for free. Programming encompasses an eclectic blend of styles from classical to contemporary, jazz to world music and dance, and traditional to avant-garde. BFAS is the only series in North Florida to be recorded for broadcast on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” on National Public Radio.

 

Educational Outreach Programs

Artists who perform on our series also perform educational outreach workshops as part of our award-winning outreach programs for thousands of students in North Florida including elementary, middle school, high school, and college students.

We typically target schools whose funding has limited the arts exposure all children should have, but many do not. We pay for bus transportation to and from our outreach concerts, where children are entertained and have an opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

Once per year, we host an artist or group for an entire week in an extended residency. Specific and appropriate schools are selected to receive the artists in their classrooms for in-depth study. Activity books and lesson plans are produced for the teachers to relate art and music with core academic subjects.

 

Art Exhibits

At each reception following our home venue concerts, we present an art exhibit featuring the works of a regional visual artist. All works are available for purchase, and we encourage concert goers to support these exceptionally talented artists.

 

Volunteers & Fundraisers

Local community organizations donate food for our receptions and assist with ushering at the concerts. These “Community Hosts” include businesses, churches, schools, philanthropic and service organizations, as well as other arts organizations.

We also rely on a large corps of wonderful volunteers who serve collectively as our “Concert Crew” at each of our concerts, and who also support us by serving at our annual fundraisers, including the BFAST Triathlons and First Coast Dancing with the Stars.

The Beaches Fine Arts Series Triathlons or BFAST began in 1986 as a way to raise funds to support our free programs. The triathlons celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2016 and continue to this day at Mickler’s Landing Beach Park in Ponte Vedra.

First Coast Dancing with the Stars began in 2013 and is held at WJCT Studio A. It continues to sell out each year. These successful fundraisers thrive because of our wonderful volunteers.

 

Board of Trustees & Staff

 

Officers

Akia Uwanda McDaniel, President
Nick Curry, Vice-President
Debbie Baker, Secretary
Elaine Hall, Treasurer

Board Members

Dorreen Daly
Katie Davidson
Tanglia Davis
MJ Hinson
Elizabeth Kirkconnell
Michele D. Lee
Aida Ribeiro Mechetti
Marjorie Pardue
Lynne Radcliffe
Ramesh Shah
Bob Wall
 
Staff

Kathryn Wallis,
Executive Director
Martha Gerding,
Associate Director
Tracy Morris,
Dir. of Educational Programming

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT BFAS

 

Mission Statement

To enrich our communities by sharing the transforming power of music and art
 free to all.

Concert Season

Since 1972, Beaches Fine Arts Series has offered people of North Florida the chance to enjoy world-class music and dance in an annual season of performances, all for free. Programming encompasses an eclectic blend of styles from classical to contemporary, jazz to world music and dance, and traditional to avant-garde. BFAS is the only series in North Florida to be recorded for broadcast on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” on National Public Radio.

 

Educational Outreach Programs

Artists who perform on our series also perform educational outreach workshops as part of our award-winning outreach programs for thousands of students in North Florida including elementary, middle school, high school, and college students.

We typically target schools whose funding has limited the arts exposure all children should have, but many do not. We pay for bus transportation to and from our outreach concerts, where children are entertained and have an opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

Once per year, we host an artist or group for an entire week in an extended residency. Specific and appropriate schools are selected to receive the artists in their classrooms for in-depth study. Activity books and lesson plans are produced for the teachers to relate art and music with core academic subjects.

 

Art Exhibits

At each reception following our home venue concerts, we present an art exhibit featuring the works of a regional visual artist. All works are available for purchase, and we encourage concert goers to support these exceptionally talented artists.

 

Volunteers & Fundraisers

Local community organizations donate food for our receptions and assist with ushering at the concerts. These “Community Hosts” include businesses, churches, schools, philanthropic and service organizations, as well as other arts organizations.

We also rely on a large corps of wonderful volunteers who serve collectively as our “Concert Crew” at each of our concerts, and who also support us by serving at our annual fundraisers, including the BFAST Triathlons and First Coast Dancing with the Stars.

The Beaches Fine Arts Series Triathlons or BFAST began in 1986 as a way to raise funds to support our free programs. The triathlons celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2016 and continue to this day at Mickler’s Landing Beach Park in Ponte Vedra.

First Coast Dancing with the Stars began in 2013 and is held at WJCT Studio A. It continues to sell out each year. These successful fundraisers thrive because of our wonderful volunteers.

 

Board of Trustees & Staff

 

Officers

Akia Uwanda McDaniel, President
Nick Curry, Vice-President
Debbie Baker, Secretary
Elaine Hall, Treasurer

Board Members

Dorreen Daly
Katie Davidson
Tanglia Davis
MJ Hinson
Elizabeth Kirkconnell
Michele D. Lee
Aida Ribeiro Mechetti
Marjorie Pardue
Lynne Radcliffe
Ramesh Shah
Bob Wall

Staff

Kathryn Wallis,
Executive Director
Martha Gerding,
Associate Director
Tracy Morris,
Dir. of Educational Programming