SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve funding for the Chalk the Bay Art and Music Festival scheduled for January 15-17, 2027, for a total not to exceed amount of $30,000.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Chalk the Bay Art & Music Festival is a new city staff-initiated signature event that will transform Coachman Park and Downtown Clearwater into a vibrant outdoor arts destination through large-scale 2D and 3D chalk art, live music, student engagement, interactive art experiences, arts and craft vendors, and community programming.
Taking place January 15-17, 2027 (with artists beginning work January 14-15), the festival will feature approximately 40-80 professional chalk artists from around the country alongside student and emerging artists. The event is designed to celebrate the visual arts while creating a unique cultural tourism experience that supports downtown businesses, activates public spaces, and establishes Clearwater as a premier arts destination in Pinellas County.
The festival has been intentionally designed to extend beyond Coachman Park and activate Downtown Clearwater. Cultural Affairs staff will work with downtown restaurants, retailers, and businesses to develop partnerships that encourage visitors and artists to explore Cleveland Street throughout the weekend. Proposed initiatives include a Student & Emerging Artist Zone on Cleveland Street, restaurant partnerships for an Artist Awards Dinner Block Party in collaboration with the Clearwater Arts Alliance and artwork sponsorship opportunities for businesses.
The Student & Emerging Artist Zone will provide aspiring artists with the opportunity to participate in a professional festival environment while encouraging festival attendees to walk between Coachman Park and Downtown Clearwater businesses. This component supports workforce development in the arts while increasing pedestrian activity throughout downtown.
The festival also presents a significant opportunity for cultural tourism. Comparable events throughout Florida have demonstrated strong attendance and economic impacts. Safety Harbor's annual chalk festival is expected to attract approximately 10,000 visitors, illustrating the demand for this type of destination event.
Staff anticipate the inaugural festival will establish a foundation for a recurring event that continues to grow in attendance, sponsorship, artist participation, and regional recognition.
Program Outline
The Chalk the Bay Art & Music Festival is a three-day event with artist preparation occurring January 14. A free to the public Scenes on the Green event January 15 and the main festival activities January 16-17, 2027.
The event is anticipated to include:
• Approximately 40-80 professional chalk artists featuring both 2D and 3D artwork.
• Student & Emerging Artist Zone on Cleveland Street.
• Interactive community chalk experiences.
• Live music and entertainment.
• Arts and crafts vendors.
• Food vendors and local restaurant partnerships.
• Artist Awards Dinner and Downtown Block Party in partnership with the Clearwater Arts Alliance.
• Volunteer opportunities supporting artists and festival operations.
Clearwater Cultural Affairs Division is requesting funding in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for eligible festival expenses from the DDB High Impact Grant program, but not limited to:
• Artist stipends
• Event production and logistics
• Marketing and advertising
• Entertainment
• Public safety and event mitigation
Goals and Objectives
Increase Downtown Visitation
Key Performance Indicators
• Target attendance of 6,000-10,000 visitors during the festival.
• Monitor pedestrian activity throughout Coachman Park and Downtown Clearwater.
• Evaluate visitor origin and tourism impacts when available.
Support Local Economic Activity
Key Performance Indicators
• Engage downtown restaurants to participate in the artist dinner & awards ceremony
• Secure artwork sponsorships from local businesses (throughout Clearwater & Pinellas County)
• Collect voluntary feedback from participating businesses regarding customer traffic and sales.
Expand Arts & Cultural Programming
Key Performance Indicators
• Hire at least 40 professional chalk artists
• Include 20-40 (additional) students and emerging artists
• Hire local musicians / provide multiple live music performances
Increased Community Engagement
Key Performance Indicators
• Provide free family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
• Engage local schools and youth organizations.
• Conduct post-event surveys to measure artist satisfaction and feedback on what they heard from visitors.
The proposed festival supports continued activation of Downtown Clearwater while strengthening Clearwater's identity as a destination for arts, culture, tourism, and community events.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
If approved, funding for this grant will be included in the fiscal year 2026/27 proposed budget for Marketing, cost code 1829411-558600.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified business sectors.
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job growth.
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
