Cultivating Culture within the Community

Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida’s Emerald Coast, with the goal and mission of redefining the symphony experience, under the guidance of Music Director Demetrius Fuller, and a dedicated board of directors. The nonprofit orchestra has cultivated innovative and progressive musical programming within the community, creating elevated and unparalleled entertainment experiences. Sinfonia has inspired, entertained, and educated Northwest Florida, and beyond, for over 19 years and counting.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation is an equally influential non-profit organization headquartered in Destin and serving all the Emerald Coast and beyond. Established in 1995, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), a not-for-profit charitable arts organization, was founded on the cultural, educational and spiritual beliefs of Destin matriarch Mattie Kelly.

Since its inception, MKAF has inspired more than 400,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, programming serves K-12 students, at- risk youth, people with disabilities, and the military population with visible and invisible injuries. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts series showcases the Southeast United States’ most vibrant performing artists and bands to more than 15,000 patrons each spring. More than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts — one the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf coast. MKAF has long partnered with multiple regional non-profits and school districts in the communities that it serves to ensure access to the arts for all.

Both culturally significant organizations work in tandem to create the performing cultural and arts education epicenter of Northwest Florida and, quite possibly, the Southeastern United States. Under the watchful eye of Demetrius Fuller, staff and two dedicated boards of directors, these organizations have set a precedent for music, art and education within the community.

Notable guest artists, with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, have included: Tony and Emmy winning star Kristin Chenoweth; Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone; & icon Roberta Flack, Mary Wilson of the Supremes; composer and performer Chris Brubeck; music narrator Jamie Bernstein, the Sao Paulo String Quartet; classical-crossover sensation Time for Three; The Hot Sardines; Manhattan Piano Trio; Epic recording artist Morgan James; Tony Award-winning vocalists Cheyenne Jackson, Gary Mauer and Debbie Gravitte; Grammy-nominated violinist Caroline Goulding; Grammy-award winners John Pizzarelli, Howard Levy, Tracy Silverman, the Parker Quartet, New York Voices, The von Trapps, iconic big band Pink Martini and most recently the dynamic, Trombone Shorty.

Since its founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 650 concerts and events that have reached over 450,000 patrons, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community and has reached more than 180,000 children through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program/music education outreach initiatives.

Equally as impressive, MKAF continues to entertain and inspire the community with its hugely successful Concerts in the Park, annual Festival of the Arts, Salt Water Music Festival and community ArtsReach program. Today, MKAF remains passionately committed to Mattie Kelly’s vision of making the cultural arts available to all in Northwest Florida.

Both organizations are currently gearing up for amazing 2024 seasons with stellar guest artists, new educational outreach initiatives and a few surprise announcements along the way. To learn more about these organizations and how to get involved, whether through patronage, sponsorship, or educational efforts, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org or www.mkaf.org