'Creative Pinellas' at risk of losing funding through county

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Colorful murals, like the ‘Better Together’ piece at the Lealman Community Center, can be found all over Pinellas County, thanks to initiatives by Creative Pinellas.

Now, the organization known for helping grow exposure for local artists may be at risk for funding cuts.

Creative Pinellas operates galleries at their Largo headquarters and at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Last year, they awarded more than $220,000 in grants to local artists.

“We work with business partners and cultural organizations and artists to support arts endeavors in the county and make sure that we are marketing this vibrant arts community to visitors to the area,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray.

However, during last week’s Pinellas County Commission meeting, Creative Pinellas’ purpose was called into question. 

“Honestly, I don’t think they’re bringing a lot to the table other than having grant programs for giving money to artist who buy easels and cameras and things like that and it’s not going to tourism at all,” said Pinellas County Commission Chair Brian Scott.

The non-profit that was established in 2011 may be in jeopardy. Commission chair Scott went on to suggest redirecting their funds to an arts grant program.

“We’ve been funding them ever since with a direct appropriation to the tune of about $1.2 million. And they had a decision package this year for $1.1 million to create a grant program for arts tourism. I reviewed the cultural plan and I was pretty underwhelmed by it,” said Scott.

The organization told WFLA that the possibility of losing funding came as a surprise.

“So I understand there eagerness to look at ways to cut. I don’t think that a small organization that is such a small part of their budget and gives such solid returns, I would like to see us spared,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray.

Murray believes the program is impactful in immeasurable ways and that they boost cultural tourism on a sliver of the county’s overall budget.

“We are doing this on 0.004% of the county’s operating budget and less than 1% of the bed tax at the county receives every year,” said Murray.

The Pinellas County Commissioner meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, where a final decision on the organization’s future may be made.