As long as he can remember, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival has been part of Dave Hill Jr.’s life. Growing up in the heart of Coconut Grove, he began working at the festival at the age of 10, alongside his father, Dave Hill Sr., who was an early board member and long-time volunteer. From painting booth numbers on the ground and troubleshooting electrical issues, to delivering hundreds of gallons of pina coladas and rum punch for the Gibson Foundation booth, young Dave learned the ins and outs of the festival, developing a lifelong passion for its mission and impact on the Miami community.
Today, as Chairman of the Board, Dave Jr. sees the Coconut Grove Arts Festival as much more than a three-day celebration of art. To him, it’s a legacy that supports arts education, fosters community engagement, and builds a foundation for future generations of Miami creatives. The festival funds critical programs like scholarships for high school and college students, provides art supplies for local schools, and supportstalented emerging artists – programs that make a lasting difference in the lives of Miami’s youth and aspiring artists.
So, as Give Miami Day 2024 approaches, let’s paint the picture: For the Coconut Grove Arts Festival community support has become more essential than any other time in its 61-year history. And because we have always been an ardent supporter of The Miami Foundation’s annual Give Miami Day – this year on Nov. 21 (12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.) – Dave Jr. encourages everyone who has been touched by the festival to contribute.
For information and to donate, visit the CGAF website or use this handy QR code (pictured above), which is being heavily promoted in advance of Give Miami Day – including on a sticker affixed to hundreds of packages of Crayola Crayons (pictured below)that are circulating throughout the community.
What’s the Benefit of Donating During Give Miami Day?
Here are some other reasons why supporting the festival through this annual county-wide giving event is particularly beneficial:
1. Support Arts Education and Outreach
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival funds arts education programs, scholarships for students, and an arts-supply donation program for young people across Miami. Give Miami Day donations help sustain and expand these programs, ensuring the festival can continue to nurture the next generation of artists and creatives in South Florida.
2. Strengthen Community Engagement
The festival has been a cultural landmark for over six decades, bringing together artists, performers, and visitors from across the nation. Your donation on Give Miami Day helps to fund the organization’s various community-focused initiatives year round – not the festival itself – whereby fostering a vibrant, inclusive arts culture in Miami.
3. Build a Lasting Legacy
Give Miami Day is an opportunity to invest in Miami’s cultural heritage. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival has a long-standing legacy of celebrating art, creativity, and community all year round. Every dollar donated helps ensure that this legacy endures, allowing future generations to experience the joy of art and the power of community engagement.
In short, donating to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival on Give Miami Day helps maximize each dollar’s reach, strengthens Miami’s arts community, and ensures that this beloved festival’s outreach programs continue to inspire, educate, and connect the people of Miami for years to come.
Join us in keeping the spirit of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival alive for future generations. Whether you’re a lifelong attendee or a new friend, your support will fuel the programs that make our festival more than just an event – it’s a movement that nurtures Miami’s creative soul.
• Visit the Give Miami website to donate.
• Visit the Coconut Grove Arts Festival website for general information.
• Get more information here.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Spanning three days over Presidents’ Day weekend, Feb. 15-17, 2025, the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival is a top-ranked international outdoor festival celebrating the fine arts with live performances, interactive arts activations, and culinary experiences along Coconut Grove’s bay-front streets. The highly popular event presents the works of nearly 285 internationally known and jury-selected artists across multiple visual categories. For information, visit https://www.cgaf.com/.