The Cedar Key Arts Center's Community Boat Building Project was started in November 1997. The Project found a home on the grounds of the non-profit Cedar Key Arts Center. The first summer boatbuilding for students was offered during July and August of 1998. It was repeated during the summer of 1999.
In November 1998, the First Annual Wooden Boat Building Symposium was held in Cedar Key. Workshops were held on such topics as the building of the Cedar Key BirdDog and Community Organizing For Boat Building. A similar symposium is planned for November 2000.