Subject:
Title
Competitive Arts Tourism Grant Program Funding Agreement with Creative Pinellas.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Competitive Arts Tourism Grant Program Management Agreement between Pinellas County and Creative Pinellas, Inc. for the management and administration of a competitive arts tourism grant program designed to promote and advertise Pinellas County as a premier arts and cultural tourism destination.
• The agreement will be effective upon execution by the Board of County Commissioners through December 31, 2026, with automatic one-year renewal terms unless terminated in accordance with the agreement.
• The total program funding shall not exceed $500,000.00 per Fiscal Year (FY), including $100,000.00 for program administration and $400,000.00 for competitive grant awards and event production.
• Funding was unanimously approved by the Tourist Development Council on November 19, 2025.
• Funding for this agreement is included in the FY26 Budget, in the Tourist Development Fund, funded by Tourist Development Tax (TDT).
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
Summary
Approval of this Agreement authorizes Creative Pinellas to manage and administer the Competitive Arts Tourism Grant Program on behalf of Pinellas County. The Program is intended to promote and advertise the County as an arts and cultural tourism destination by supporting competitively selected, tourism-driving arts experiences and associated marketing efforts.
Creative Pinellas will be responsible for administering program guidelines, issuing and evaluating grant applications, managing subrecipient agreements, facilitating artist contracts, collecting performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with applicable state law and County requirements. The County retains final approval authority over all grant awards.
Body
Background Information:
During development of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, $500,000.00 in TDT funding was reallocated to the Visit St. Pete-Clearwater budget to create a competitive arts tourism program. Following this action, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater staff worked collaboratively with local arts leaders, including St. Pete Arts Alliance, Creative Pinellas, and Clearwater Arts Alliance, to develop the structure, eligibility criteria, and performance expectations for the Program.
The Program framework was presented to the Tourist Development Council on November 19, 2025. The resulting agreement designates Creative Pinellas, recognized as the County’s Local Arts Agency, as the Program administrator due to its expertise in arts grantmaking, compliance, and community partnerships.
Under the Agreement, Program Administration funding includes subrecipient allocations to the St. Pete Arts Alliance and Clearwater Arts Alliance. Competitive grant awards will support a series of arts experiences occurring during a defined period, designed to enhance visitor experience, drive visitation, and elevate the St. Pete Clearwater destination brand. All expenditures must comply with statutory TDT requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
$100,000.00 - Program Administration
$400,000.00 - Competitive Arts Tourism Grant Awards
$500,000.00 - Total Annual Program Funding
Funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund and shall not exceed $500,000.00 for the fiscal year.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention & Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Competitive Arts Tourism Grant Program Funding Agreement
Program Overview Presentation