PRESS RELEASE: Secretary of State Cord Byrd Invites the Public to Attend the Presentation of the Florida Arts and Culture Awards

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Cord Byrd today announced that the presentation of the 2024 Florida Arts and Culture Awards will take place at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, on February 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The Florida Arts and Culture ceremony will include the presentation of the Florida Folklife Program’s Folk Heritage Awards, and the induction of Florida artists into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

"We are delighted to honor these exceptional Florida artists and their contributions to enhancing our state’s rich and colorful arts and culture community,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “Through their creativity, passion, and dedication, they have inspired countless others and helped shape our beloved Sunshine State."

The historic Florida Theatre has been an integral part of Jacksonville and Florida since 1927. In addition to movies, over the years, the theatre has hosted opera, dance and theatre productions, trade shows, fashion shows, charity benefits, and civic meetings, all making the Florida Theatre a hub of community activity. 

"The Florida Theatre is honored to host this statewide celebration of arts and culture. The theatre is, after all, named after the state, so what could be more natural than hosting the Florida Arts and Culture Awards at the Florida Theatre?" said Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin. "As a nonprofit arts organization, we are pleased to help celebrate the outstanding talent and contributions of these Florida artists, who have enriched the lives of Floridians statewide, as well as the lives of many more worldwide, too."

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for the ceremony beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and is first-come-first-served, but interested parties must RSVP by February 13, 2025, at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-arts-and-culture-awards-ceremony-tickets-1228251807219?aff=oddtdtcreator.

The award winners are listed below.

Florida Folk Heritage Award Recipients

Marisol Blanco, Miami

Julia Belen Alverio, Orlando

Jude “Papaloko” Thegenus, Miami

The Ukranian Dancers of Miami, Miami

Florida Artist Hall of Fame Inductees

Roger Bansemer, St. Augustine

George Clinton, Tallahassee

Xavier Cortada, Miami

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jacksonville

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About the Florida Folk Heritage Awards

Based on public nominations and recommendations from the Florida Folklife Council, the Secretary of State confers Florida Folk Heritage Awards annually. Awards are given to outstanding Folk Artists and Folk Culture Advocates who have made long-standing contributions to the folk cultural resources of the state. The program honors the state’s most influential tradition bearers and folk advocates for excellence, significance, and authenticity in terms of traditional arts. To make a nomination, contact State Folklorist Dominick Tartaglia 850.245.6427, or visit flheritage.com/folklife.

About the Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Arts and Culture, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information, visit flheritage.com/folklife.

About the Florida Artists Hall of Fame
Established by the Florida Legislature in 1986, the Florida Artists Hall of Fame recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions to the arts in Florida either as performing or practicing artists in their disciplines. These individuals contribute to Florida's national and international reputation as a state with a sustained commitment to the development of cultural excellence. The Florida Artists Hall of Fame currently consists of more than 50 inductees, including musician and performer Ray Charles, actor and director Burt Reynolds, writers Zora Neale Hurston, Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, filmmaker Victor Nunez, and visual artists Duane Hanson, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist. For more information about the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural/programs/florida-artists-hall-of-fame/.

About the Division of Arts and Culture
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.