Out Palm Beach: ArtServe's Jason Hughes, Art Welcome You

This month, Out Palm Beach’s Frank D’Agostino speaks with Jason Hughes of ArtServe.

A Chat with Jason Hughes, ArtServe

Jason, you and I know each other professionally and personally, through the arts incubator ArtServe. How did a young guy from Canada wind up at Palm Beach classical radio station 20 years ago? how did you take that leap of faith as a young man?

My career began in commercial radio in Toronto at the largest radio station in Canada. I worked there during summer breaks while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I was studying Mass Communication. A few years later I started my own national magazine, Fresh Magazine, aimed at Gen Xers at the time, and eventually was on the team who started the first LGBTQ television network in the world, OutTV. Through my media network of colleagues, I knew of a position at American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio for a marketing role to launch a new all-classical music radio station based in South Florida. My experience in two recent media startups attracted me to this amazing opportunity down South. Once hired, my spouse and I literally had two suitcases each, flew down, bought a new car, and started working two days later with a new life in sunny Florida!

Who might have hired you? Could it be our mutual best friend, the Current President and CEO of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce — the incredible Doug Evans? Tell us about Doug and the radio station, and how you still are great friends and colleagues, and the fact that Doug is on the board of ArtServe.

Doug Evans took a leap of faith in hiring a young lad from Canada to drive the startup he was entrusted to by the behemoth public radio company, American Public Media. Once I had my in-person interview with Doug, I instantly knew this man knew what he was doing and had a vision outside the constrictions of what public radio and classical music radio could be. He and I hit it off and had the same goals and strategy to launch this new classical music network in South Florida. Doug recruited me that afternoon. I moved to South Florida, and it couldn’t have been a more exciting and fulfilling opportunity!

Over 20 years later, you are now the CEO and president of the only arts incubator left in the United States based out of South Florida, in Fort Lauderdale, ArtServe. Explain your mission and what an “arts incubator” is? How do you account for your viability of being the only such organization left in the U.S. with this mission and how this serves South Florida?

ArtServe was founded in 1989 as one of six original “arts incubators” in the United States. As of today, we are the only original incubator remaining and we are proud to be entering our 36th year serving residents and visitors from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. While our model has flourished in other communities throughout the country, ArtServe was successful by understanding our presence is to serve the community. Our 30,000-square-foot facility houses two national museums, offices for non-profits, studios for artists, a large art gallery, workshop/teaching spaces, and an auditorium holding 200 people per event. I’m proud to say we have had thousands of residents from Palm Beach County attend over the years our art exhibitions and community events.

Tell us about ArtServe’s mission and how you foster arts and artists in South Florida? Can you elaborate on recent collaborations with other area nonprofit organizations?

ArtServe inspires, supports and advances our diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts. We are at the core an “arts incubator.” We teach artists the “art of business.”

Our greatest joy is working with new or emerging artists from the area to start their businesses, learn how to sell and market their art, to price and insure their art, and how to be the best product champion of their art through public relations and social skills.

We collaborate with a number of organizations including Dillard School for the Arts, John Knox Village (where we curate their internal galleries), United Way, Mission United (supporting veterans), various hospitals and so much more. Our four exhibitions a year tackle important subjects our communities are facing including mental health, veterans and police/EMS mental wellness, and more. Every year, we present an environmental exhibition relating to the Everglades and the importance of our most valuable natural resource: our water. We combine those issues with art and culture, effectively offering ideas, connections and conversations within our communities.

What was Palm Beach and South Florida like 20 years ago and how has it changed?

Twenty years ago, it seemed the urban centers of West Palm and Fort Lauderdale were big, small towns. It’s amazing to see the population and residential growth in only two decades.

Why do you feel it’s important for ArtServe ‘s mission especially now, with funding cutbacks to the arts, to work with some of the nonprofits you mentioned, and how this serves South Florida? Tell us about expanding membership of ArtServe.

Less than 10 years ago, Florida ranked third in America for arts funding. The 2024 State of Florida veto of all non-profit arts funding now puts Florida dead last — 2024 was the first-year arts were cut from the state budget.

Nonetheless, ArtServe has a duty to serve our community, and we continue to do so by welcoming new members not only from Broward and Miami-Dade counties, but also seeing growth from residents in Palm Beach County. Collaborating with others who we may not have before, including social services organizations and for-profit companies who wish to plant a flag in the creative arts community, are a benefit in living in our dynamic community.

What is your next exhibit and when is it opening?

In 2025, you will see exhibitions on Native Species of the Everglades, our first ever fashion exhibition featuring emerging designers from Palm Beach and Broward counties, and a show echoing the Gilded Age titled: Florida Opulence. Who doesn’t want a little opulence in their lives! All exhibitions are free and open to the public six days a week at 1350 East Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. Parking is easy and free! Visit artserve.org for hours and more information on exhibitions and how to get involved as a Friend of ArtServe.

So, referring to the Jason that moved from Canada to the Palm Beach Beaches 20 years ago, please answer this:

Jason Hughes was: destined to live by the beach in South Florida working in elevating the arts and culture here in his community.

Jason Hughes is: the proud “Champion of Art 2024” according to OutSFL and “Rockstar of the Year – Non-profit 2024” according to South Florida Business & Wealth magazine. I am humbled and honored to have been recognized for all the hard work of our ArtServe team and Board of Trustees.

Jason Hughes wants to be: the person who welcomes every new guest to our amazing complex and thanks them for their interest and support.

Finally. What is Art? Why is it important?

Art inspires you. Challenges you. Art unifies communities, strengthens the economy, improves your well-being. Ultimately, art welcomes you.

Frank D’Agostino is a playwright, composer, executive producer, figure skater and active member in the Southern Florida community.