SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve funding in an amount not to exceed $80,000 for the Art Oasis Mural Festival in the North Greenwood CRA and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
In 2024, the city/CRA hosted Clearwater’s first Art Oasis Mural Festival. The name reflects the idea that, while Clearwater can sometimes feel like an “art desert,” concentrated public art can transform a neighborhood into an oasis of creativity. Last year’s festival successfully delivered seven new murals across the Downtown and East Gateway neighborhoods.
This year, the Arts and Cultural Affairs Division is requesting funding to bring the same initiative to the North Greenwood CRA. Murals will be offered to local businesses, property owners, and selected City-owned structures. An application process will be available for property owners, or businesses with property owner approval, who wish to host a mural.
For this iteration, staff hopes to add a new component that was not previously possible: a culminating neighborhood celebration to honor the new artworks and officially close the festival. This will be produced and paid for by Arts and Cultural Affairs Division.
This festival will bring together regional artists, residents, and businesses to create murals that beautify the neighborhood while enhancing community pride and connection.
Purpose of the Festival
• Support neighborhood revitalization and increase foot traffic to local businesses.
• Help establish North Greenwood as a cultural destination within Clearwater.
Artist & Design Selection Process
Clearwater will conduct an open call for artists (currently open). The highest-scoring applicants, with preference for regional artists, will form the top 10 pool. Business owners will review artist portfolios and select their preferred artist, who will then design a mural specifically for their building. Selection operates on a first-come, first-served basis, giving early applicants the widest selection of artists.
The CRA funds the artist commissions, which include materials, labor, and on-site storage. Property owners receive a professionally created mural at no cost, an investment that would typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on scale. Completed murals will be added to the City’s public art map to help draw visitors and increase foot traffic.
This item was brought forward to the North Greenwood Citizen’s Advisory Committee at their September 3, 2025, meetings and was approved for recommendation.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in cost code 3897552-R2405- Public Art & Culture, to fund this program.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified business sector.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
