JACKSONVILLE MUSEUMS

Jacksonville museums have much to offer the community. We’ve gathered together information on these local treasures and what you’ll find there–from art programs to rental spaces and cafes to kid’s days.
BEACHES MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER
380 Pablo Ave. (Jacksonville Beach), 241-5657, www.bm-hc.com
The Beaches Museum & History Center provides over 100 years of historical information of the six beaches including the Old Post Office, the Mayport Depot and the Foreman’s House. See a 28 ton Steam Locomotive, stroll down the boardwalk, visit the archives, step back into time in the old post office, shop in Rubys Emporium and enjoy their hands-on projects for kids. Permanent and revolving exhibits, summer programs for kids, Friday Whistle talks with local authors and other events. They can also provide rental space for weddings and receptions.
Mission Statement: To nurture civic pride for the distinct history of the Beaches, while providing education, information and entertainment for those who live, work and vacation in our communities.
Hours: Tues- Sat, 10 am- 4:30 pm
Admission: Adults/$ 5, Seniors/$4, Children/$3, under 5/free
Membership: Basic benefits for all memberships include free admission for a year, subscription to newsletter, 10% discount at museum store, discounts on most activities, invites to events and recognition. Each level includes more benefits, including free guest passes and exclusive invites. Individual $30 Household/Couple $50, Family/$100, Corporate Member/$250, Corporate Sponsor/$50.
CULTURAL CENTER AT PONTE VEDRA BEACH
50 Executive Way (Ponte Vedra Beach), 280-0614, www.ccpvb.org
In addition to the gallery, the Cultural Center has studio facilities for art, dance, music and voice instruction classes. Local artists show at the gallery. The Center supplies free and unique arts education and outreach programs to an increasing number of people in our community, including isolated seniors and children with special needs. These programs are supported by memberships, exhibitions, art classes, receptions and creative arts events.
Mission Statement: The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is a 501c(3), not for profit organization whose mission is to bring the arts into the life of our communities through arts education, art appreciation and community outreach.
Hours: Mon- Fri, 9 am- 5:30 pm; Sat 10 am- 1 pm
Admission: Varies depending on the event, but members get in at low or no cost.
Membership: Membership price per family costs $100, but you can buy a higher level of membership. Each membership level confers more benefits including discounts, free admission to select workshops and invites to exclusive parties. Please call Membership at 280-0614, ext. 205 for more information about General Membership levels.
THE CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS
829 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, www.cummer.org
Their impressive permanent collection of more than 5,500 objects and art spans from 2100 B.C. through the 21st century. People stroll the gardens and take their kids to the interactive learning center. Their non-permanent exhibitions often integrate older collections with responses from local artists and students. January 20- August 8 they will be exhibiting Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits by Paul Rogers. Grab a cup of tea and a lovely lunch at the Tree Cup Cafe inside the museum. They also have a museum store where you can buy goodies related and unrelated to the exhibitions. Classes and lectures are offered throughout the year for kids and adults. Also, they have some spaces available for event rental; contact Susan Mahla at 899-6026 or email her at [email protected]
Mission Statement: To engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education.
Hours: Mon, Closed; Tues, 10 am- 9 pm; Wed- Fri. 10 am- 4 pm; Sat, 10 am- 5 pm; Sun noon- 5 pm
Admission: Adults/$10, military & seniors/$6, kids under 5/free, members/free. Tuesdays FREE admission from 4 pm- 9 pm. Sponsored by THE PLAYERS. College Students are FREE Tuesday through Friday, 1:30 pm- 4 pm
Membership: Family Memberships (Two Adults, and children OR grandchildren under 18)/$85. Individual/$50. Student/$30. They offer a discount of $5 off of memberships for seniors, military and educators. Membership questions or concerns should be directed to Wendy Stanley, Membership & Volunteer Manager, at 899-6007 or [email protected]
KARPELES MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY MUSEUM
101 W. 1st St., 356-2992, www.rain.org/~karpeles/jaxfrm.html
The main auditorium features a traveling exhibit open to the public for four months. The upcoming exhibit in January is The Steroviewer Age. Additionally, there is an art exhibit featuring local and regional artists. A wide range of styles are exhibited and include paintings, sculpture and photography. The foyers and lower level feature permanent exhibits of Ancient Ships, Egyptian Sandstones and Ancient Fossil Relics. The Museum also provides a venue for meetings, workshops and cultural programs.
Mission Statement: One of ten museums around the country, the Karpeles Museum is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of original manuscripts from all periods of world history.
Hours: Tue- Fri, 10 am- 3 pm; Sat, 10 am- 4 pm
Admission: Free
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
333 North Laura St., 366-6911, www.moca.org
MOCA Jacksonville primarily collects work from 1960 to the present. The Museum’s permanent collection currently consists of almost 800 works of art, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography. Non-permanent exhibitions rotate with an emphasis on Modern and Contemporary Art. Beginning January 21- April 4 they will be exhibiting Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe. For a art local spin on things, visit the gallery located adjacent to the Museum Store. It’s an informal display space intended to offer an exhibition and sales opportunity to emerging local and regional artists in a high visibility downtown setting. Two artists exhibit simultaneously throughout the season. Tours are available Tuesday through Friday 1:30 pm- 4 pm. Teacher-led student group tours are free with advance reservation. Inquiries should be directed to 366-6911 x 212. All inquiries for facility rental should be directed to the Manager of Special Events, Carolyn Brass. She can be reached at 366-6911 x 223. Indoor spaces can accommodate up to 800 guests and they even have a 25 seat theater for performances. Visit their museum store for some super gifts, art, original jewelry and art-oriented toys for kids. Finish up with a bite at the fabulous Cafe Nola, headed up by Chef Kathy Collins (a grad of Le Cordon Bleu).
Mission Statement: The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, a non-profit, visual arts educational institution, is a cultural resource of the University of North Florida and serves the community through exhibitions, collections, educational programs, outreach and publications designed to enhance an understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art with particular emphasis on works created after 1960.
Hours: Tue, Weds, Fri, Sat, 10 am- 4 pm; Thurs- 10 am- 8 pm; Sun- Noon, 4 pm; Artwalk, 4 pm- 9 pm
Admission: Adults/$8, Seniors (60 years and older)/$5, Military (with current ID)/$5, Students (with current ID)/$5 (Free for college students with current ID Tuesday- Friday, 1:30- 4 pm) UNF Students (with current ID) Free, Children under 2/free, MOCA Jacksonville members/free. Free Wednesday evenings for Artwalk (5- 9 pm). Sundays free for families. Children under the age of 18 and accompanying adults are free.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY
1025 Museum Cir., 396-MOSH, www.themosh.org
MOSH houses eight core exhibits: The Body Within which explores the fascinating world of anatomy and physiology using fun, family friendly interactive elements; Water Worlds, about Florida’s unique aquatic systems; The Florida Naturalist’s Center houses MOSH’s live collection of mammals, reptiles and birds native to Florida; KidSpace, designed for pre-school aged children, interprets Jacksonville’s ecosystem and natural settings using a hands-on water play area and a simulated treescape; JEA Aqua Expo investigates the earth’s water supply; Currents of Time on Florida history; Atlantic Tails on oceanic mammals and lastly the Hixon Native Courtyard in an outdoor interpretive area that includes native plants and pond life. Its most beloved resident is Tonca, an alligator snapping turtle. The MOSH also includes a fun-filled gift shop with educational toys and souvenirs.
The new temporary exhibit is the A-Mazing Sea. It will be on display at MOSH January 30- May 2. A-Mazing Sea leads the visitor inside a fully interactive environment featuring five Experience Galleries filled with interactive elements. Children will be able to crawl into a sea turtle shell and walking through a whale’s mouth, bringing unique and powerful perspective to learning about the ocean and sea life. Scenes of Dinosaurs will be coming to the MOSH in the Summer of 2010. Check their website for info on lectures, classes, booking birthday parties, seasonal camps, roof-top rentals and more.
Mission Statement: MOSH stimulates the joy of learning for visitors of all ages in science, astronomy and the history of the region.
Hours: Mon- Fri, 10 am- 5 pm; Sat, 10 am- 6 pm; Sun, 1 pm- 6 pm
Admission: Adults/$10, kids 3- 12 years/$8, military & seniors/ $8.50
Membership: $55/Individual, $65/Family, $75/Family Plus, $85/Deluxe Family, $150/Patron, $250/Benefactor, $500/Grand Benefactor
RITZ THEATRE AND MUSEUM
829 N. Davis St., 632-5555. www.ritzlavilla.org
The art that adorns the museum’s gallery exhibit hall is a blend artistic expressions spanning the African Diaspora from painting to sculpture, textiles to woodcuts, mixed media to installation pieces and much more. Lift Ev’ry Voice in the museum’s permanent collection celebrating the legacy of Jacksonville’s native sons James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. Current exhibit Through Our Eyes 2009: Each One Teach One- The Artist as Mentor through July 30. Through Our Eyes 2009 Workshop Series (11 am- 1 pm).
Mission Statement: The mission of the Ritz Theatre and Museum is to research, record and preserve the material culture and present in an educational or entertaining format, the many facets of African American life in Northeast Florida and the many facets of life across the African Diaspora that make up the historical and cultural legacy of this community.
Hours: Tue- Fri, 10 am- 6 pm; Sat, 10 am- 2 pm; Sun, 2 pm- 5 pm
Admission: Adults/$6; Children, Students and Seniors/$3