Decca Live To Host Bold City’s 49th Annual Arts Awards Ceremony
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (May 1, 2026) – Since it opened in January 2025, Decca Live has been a hub for music and culture in Downtown Jacksonville. Now, the venue is thrilled to help highlight the best and brightest of the Bold City arts scene by partnering with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to host the 49th Annual Arts Awards. The event is Saturday, May 9, from 6:30 p.m to 10 p.m. at Decca Live, located at 323 Bay Street.
“We’re so honored to partner with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to recognize the immense artistic talent in our community,” says Evan Rajta, co-owner of Decca Live. “Music and the arts are obviously the lifeblood of what we do here at Decca Live. We love supporting our local performers, so being able to host this event is a real full-circle moment. And we’re excited to bring the Decca Live vibe to the party.”
The 49th Annual Arts Awards is a bold, multi-level experience that encourages movement, exploration, and networking. This year’s event features a Neon Noir theme that celebrates the people and organizations who light the way. Attendees are encouraged to style their event looks using the Arts Awards mood board. This all-inclusive, ticketed event features valet parking, food, an open bar, and dancing. John Bachman, former Action News Jax anchor and current co-owner of Bachman // Galnor Communications, will emcee the awards, followed by a set from DJ Disco Cowboy. Tickets to the Arts Awards also includes entry to an after-party concert, where guests can enjoy music, dancing, and a cash bar. The 49th Annual Arts Awards is Saturday, May 9, from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Creative Workforce tickets are $90 per person, while VIP tickets, which include an exclusive pre-party with drinks and elevated bites, are $200; tickets are available at here.
“As the Cultural Council’s largest annual fundraiser, the Arts Awards recognize artistic excellence, celebrate the creative economy, and strengthen public-private partnerships,” shares Diana Donovan, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. “With 92 cents of every dollar returning directly to the arts and culture sector, your support creates a more vibrant Northeast Florida.”
Decca Live, the brainchild of Eric Fuller, Evan Rajta, Aleksander Lukaj, and Shawn Rouf, entered the Jacksonville music scene in 2025. The venue will host upcoming national touring acts such as Wiz Khalifa and The Pharcyde while continuing to champion local Northeast Florida artists and DJs through performance opportunities on touring lineups and thoughtfully curated programming during community-focused themed events. The team has made significant investments in the Bay Street district, including SIP on the Rooftop, Keane’s Tavern, the upcoming Besa Bakery & Tea Room Speakeasy, and the purchase of the Hutchinson-Suddath Building.
