Agencies & Organizations

engage and connect

Arts and cultural organizations throughout Pinellas County provide opportunities to visitors, residents, and artists to help build a community where artists and audiences can thrive.

African American Heritage Trail

The African American Heritage Trails in St. Petersburg, Florida, are walking tours of African American neighborhoods. They provide individuals, groups, and classes with an overview of African American influence on the history of the city. Nineteen markers covering more than a dozen city blocks provide details about the history of the African American community in St. Petersburg. afamheritagestpete.org/index.php/ african-american-heritage-trail

Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association promotes the understanding of jazz, its origins, and its evolution throughout the Tampa Bay area. They present live jazz performances, work with youth interested in exploring this style of music, hold jazz clinics and festivals, and provide scholarships to students who plan to further their jazz studies. They also hold a Monday Jazz Jam every Monday at The Hangar at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg. aldowningjazz.com

Arts Conservatory for Teens

The Arts Conservatory for Teens’ mission is to educate, empower, and enrich the lives of youth and teens in the community by fostering creativity through arts education, theatrical productions, career guidance, healthy living, and leadership development. ACT serves close to 500 disadvantaged youths, offering afterschool and inschool workshops as well as community fundraisers and artistically focused events.

artsconservatoryforteens.org

727-346-8223

Arts for a Complete Education

Arts for a Complete Education (ACE) believes every child in every school should receive a wellrounded education that includes a comprehensive, sequential, high-quality program of arts instruction, taught by certified arts teachers. Under the umbrella of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, ACE aims to serve as an advocate for arts education, monitor decision-making as it affects arts education, and develop and support collaborations among schools, artists, arts organizations, and the community. stpeteartsalliance.org/ace-pinellas

ARTZ 4 Life Academy

ARTZ 4 Life Academy celebrates cultural diversity by presenting the finest in cultural performing arts to broaden the educational, social, and artistic perspectives of an entire community of youth, adults, and families. For over 23 years, the academy has provided programs and activities to thousands of youth, adults, and families in and outside of the Tampa Bay area. Their mission is to reinforce resilience by enhancing education, promoting diversity, and developing life skills through cultural and performing arts.

artz4life.org

727-216-3519

Bay Area Professional Writers Guild

The Bay Area Professional Writers Guild (BAPWG), founded in 1986, includes professional freelance nonfiction and fiction writers and authors. BAPWG provides resources to students and new writers with an interest in a professional career; furthers the education, expansion and appreciation of the arts within the community; and serves and supports its members to further their careers. BAPWG is a Creative Pinellas Arts Business Incubator partner and holds workshops and meetings on the Pinewood Cultural Park campus and online.

bapwg.org

City of Dunedin Pipe Band

The City of Dunedin Pipe Band, which is focused on education and continuing the Scottish arts, started in 1964 as an outlet for young adults who had taken up piping and drumming while attending Dunedin schools. Dunedin currently has a Scottish arts program that begins at Dunedin Middle School, carries graduates over to Dunedin High School, and continues with adults.

dunedinpipeband.com

Clearwater Arts Alliance

The Clearwater Arts Alliance (CAA) advocates, collaborates, and brings visibility to the arts to create a better community. CAA supports arts education with exhibitions and awards for student artists, funds school art projects, and arts teacher professional development. CAA supports artists through Thinking Outside the Box artwrapped signal boxes and with the first comprehensive cultural map for the city. CAA also offers monthly, docentled walks in downtown highlighting the growing public arts scene. clearwaterartsalliance.org

Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation

The Clearwater Jazz Holiday festival is organized and supported by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation. The Foundation’s dedicated and engaged Board of Directors is composed of community leaders, who oversee production of the festival and various innovative education and outreach initiatives. The Foundation also orchestrates the popular Jazz Force committee of lead volunteers who work tirelessly to operationally implement the four-day celebration every October and manage hundreds of services needed to accommodate thousands of visitors. The Foundation’s wonderful family of corporate and strategic partners and its popular High Note Society membership help to sustain and grow this timeless tradition.

clearwaterjazz.com

Creative Artists Guild of Dunedin

The Creative Artists’ Guild brings together artists to share experiences, expertise and exchange of information. They develop and promote the Dunedin artistic community by arranging exhibits, shows, and other means to support local artists. Membership is open to all those interested in fine arts, attending meetings, and participating in the many other activities of the Guild. The membership represents a progressive group of artists and their supporters who share a mutual interest and encourage public awareness in the art field. cagdunedin.faso.com

Creative Pinellas

Creative Pinellas is the county’s Local Arts Agency with the mission to facilitate a vibrant, integrated, collaborative, and sustainable Pinellas County as a community and an arts and cultural destination. Through a variety of programs, such as artist grants, exhibitions, and workshops, Creative Pinellas provides support to local artists and the community. Creative Pinellas is located in the Pinewood Cultural Park where they program arts and cultural events in the gallery and auditorium.

creativepinellas.org

727-582-3600

Diversity Arts, Inc.

Diversity Arts, Inc. aims to support underserved youth and communities by providing safe environments, guidance and materials for creative self-discovery, expression, and sociocultural interaction. They empower disenfranchised (often atrisk) youths and groups by facilitating creative experiences in judgmentfree environments and sharing the work with the community. They are committed to promoting inclusion and tolerance through collaborative art-making workshops in which participants from every walk of life can learn from and celebrate one another’s cultural differences.

diversityartsinc.com

727-313-2250

Dunedin Music Society

Connecting local communities with live music through sponsoring large festivals and a variety of local seasonal concerts is the mission of the award-winning Dunedin Music Society (DMS). The society offers educational opportunities for amateur and professional performers with the Pinellas Community Players, and a multitude of workshops and spectacular events, including a popular holiday concert. DMS members advocate to make the world a better place through live music.

dunedinmusicsociety.org

727-800-3727

EDGE Business District Association

The EDGE Business District Association is an award-winning Main Street and nonprofit organization. We are dedicated to sustaining a vibrant EDGE District and preserving its unique historic character. Programming focuses on Organization, Design, Economic Vitality and Promotion. Projects include public art installations, such as “The Sun on the EDGE” sculpture and the 10-piece “On EDGE” sculptures around district perimeters.

edgedistrict.org

727-329-8869

Florida Humanities Council

The Florida Humanities Council works to engage Floridians with humanities content that both stirs curiosity and affects their everyday lives. They accomplish this through partnership programs such as the Florida Stories Walking Tour app and the Poet Laureate program, grants for community projects, and special initiatives like the Great American Read.

floridahumanities.org

727-873-2000

Florida Society of Goldsmiths

The Florida Society of Goldsmiths is a nonprofit organization known for “Teaching the Art of Metal” and was created by metalsmiths to aid and support other metalsmiths through meetings, publicity, workshops, and exhibitions; to provide metalsmiths with opportunities for education and exchange of information; and to broaden public knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of fine quality handcrafted metal work.

fsgmetalsmiths.org

Grand Central District Association

The Grand Central District (GCDA) is a nationally designated Florida Main Street Community located just west of downtown St. Petersburg. GCDA works to support and promote the district’s economic revitalization in an effort to make it an arts, retail, dining, and entertainment destination for St. Petersburg visitors and residents. They host regular events such as yoga, peer support groups for LGBTQ+ parents and children, and an annual chili cook-off. grandcentraldistrict.org

Keep St. Pete Lit #10

Keep St. Pete Lit celebrates and promotes greater St. Petersburg’s literary community – past, present, and future –through arts, education and events with a literary twist. They are readers, writers, and lovers of words who strive to bring an approachable, engaging literary component to St. Petersburg’s vibrant arts community.

keepstpetelit.org

Mi Gente Mi Pueblo

Mi Gente Mi Pueblo’s shared purpose is to advance equity through Latinx/ Hispanic community by building collective power through narrative, healing, and advocacy. They are a non-profit organization led by (Gente) creating spaces (Pueblo) that strengthen their Latine roots/identity for unity and thriving. They do this through intentional dialogues and workshops like “Chercha,” Reclamando, and book discussion. They also do this by deepening relationships and centering cultura through their annual Movida (Latine arts, culture, and equity dialogues).

migentemipueblo.com

Miniature Art Society of Florida

The Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF) encourages artists to become involved in the exciting world of miniaturism. It seeks to broaden the awareness of the public and collectors to the delicate beauty and refinement of this venerable art form. MASF assists talented young artists of the future with scholarships. MASF even holds an annual exhibition to showcase their works.

miniature-art.com

727-525-8251

NOMADstudio

NOMADstudio puts creativity in motion to fuel connections and nurture communities. They do this by mobilizing artists, activating shared spaces, and celebrating creative expression as an essential part of human well-being. They pop up in places where people typically lack access to the means of creative expression, like juvenile detention centers and group children’s homes, and their network of artists work to remove impediments ensuring that art-making is available to all. Their work is rooted in the belief that everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community. nomadstudio.org

Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project

Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project, Inc. (PDAP) has a mission to support, encourage, and promote Black and Brown Arts and Artists in Tampa Bay while providing family engagements with a focus on health and wellness. PDAP looks to build a community of Black and Brown creative producers, artists, and artivists, focused on developing and inspiring educational, collaborative, and uplifting engagements for youth and families that encourage health and wellness. pinellasdiasporaartsproject.org

Professional Association of Visual Artists

The Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) is a nonprofit organization founded to develop and encourage professional standards in the visual arts. With over 170 members from the Tampa Bay area and beyond, PAVA strives to create opportunities and build friendships with other artists through volunteering and participating in art exhibitions. The organization hosts two major annual artist showcase events: the Cool Art Show (summer) and the 2Cool Art Show (February) as well their holiday member exhibit at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas. PAVA is a Creative Pinellas Arts Business Incubator partner. pava-artists.org

Second Time Arounders

The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band (STA) provides an opportunity for adults who have been in high school, college, and/or military bands, to continue playing music and performing. They are the largest permanent adult marching band in the world, with band members’ ages ranging from 18 to 85. STA performs at various locations within and outside of Tampa Bay.

secondtimearounders.org

South Pasadena Community Band

For over 30 years, the South Pasadena Community Band has provided musicians with the opportunity to hone their talents with songs from classic musicals. The nonprofit, all-volunteer band presents free concerts at local venues including the South Pasadena City Hall auditorium and the Treasure Island Community Center.

New members are encouraged to drop in for Thursday evening rehearsals at South Pasadena City Hall.

southpasadenaband.com

727-398-9639

St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA) serves as a resource for arts and culture throughout the St. Petersburg area. SPAA funds and manages St. Pete’s popular Second Saturday ArtWalk, and produces the St. Petersburg SHINE Mural Festival, and the Annual MUSE Awards. For artists, creative businesses, and arts organizations, SPAA offers professional arts business training. They also distribute grants to individual artists in all genres and support in-school and afterschool arts education through the Arts stpeteartsalliance.org

727-754-6404

St. Petersburg Community Band

The St. Petersburg Community Band was organized in 1975 to bring music to the community and provide musicians an opportunity to use their talents. Their website provides their schedule for rehearsals, concerts, and more. No audition or fees are required. They hold rehearsals on Monday nights at Allendale Methodist Church. stpeteband.com

St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS)

St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc. (SPIFFS) works to preserve and encourage ethnic cultures and diversity. The major activity of SPIFFS is the Annual International Folk Fair that features cultural exhibits, arts and crafts, ethnic foods, and entertainment from around the world, making it possible to “travel around the world in a day.” SPIFFS representatives visit local schools, nursing homes, and other local organizations.

SPIFFS also provide translators for individuals and agencies through their language bank. spiffs.org

727-289-3744

St. Petersburg Woodcrafters Guild

The St. Petersburg Woodcrafters Guild is an organization of woodcrafters with skills ranging from beginning hobbyists to master craftsmen. Their members are dedicated to teaching others what they know about woodworking and learning what they don’t. They meet the fourth Tuesday of every month to share woodworking tips, bring projects, jigs and more, as well as to hear guest speakers and see live demonstrations. Members have access to the guild’s library, which contains books, videos and plans on techniques and projects.

stpetewoodguild.org

St. Pete Clearwater “Sunscreen” Film Society

The St. Pete Clearwater “Sunscreen” Film Society encourages the creation, production and exhibition of independent film in Florida through educational programs and public screenings. A primary activity of the society is producing the annual Sunscreen Film Festival, a four-day film festival that brings the best of independent films and their directors, actors and producers to the Tampa Bay area. The society also offers workshops and classes throughout the year and a filmmaking summer camp for kids. sunscreenfilmfestival.com

Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society

The Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society is a nonprofit that encourages the performance, preservation and perpetuation of Dixieland jazz music. They hold multiple jazz concerts at various venues throughout the year, bringing in bands from out of town as well as featuring local groups. Additionally, they raise money for scholarships for young musicians through the Pinellas Youth Foundation. sdjs2022.org

Tampa Bay Ukulele Society

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Society (TBUS) is Florida’s largest ukulele club, holding regular events including workshops, performances, open mic, and jam sessions. Free to join, members receive updates on monthly events, can meet other ukulele players in the area, and receive discounts from local merchants. They also host the Tampa Bay Ukulele getaway, held the first weekend in November and attracting ukulele fans from around the world. TBUS is a Creative Pinellas Arts Business Incubator partner.

tampabayukulele.com

Tarpon Springs Art Association

The Tarpon Springs Art Association is an organization dedicated to the education of artists. Meeting on the first Monday of the month at the Community Center, 400 S. Walton Avenue, Tarpon Springs, from September to April, they feature art demonstrations by artists who are experienced in a particular medium, followed up with a workshop. They display art at several venues in the area. tarponspringsartassociation.com

813-447-9347

The Power of Song

The Power of Song is a nonprofit organization that educates and trains youth and communities about the civil rights movement and social justice issues through song, theater, and art. Their primary focus is to promote community service and nonviolent change. Their productions include original works such as Sounds of the Civil Rights Movement: The Power of Song, which shares the history of the songs of the movement, and The Cardboard Stories, which tells the stories behind the faces of homelessness.

thepowerofsong.org

Treasure Island Art Guild

The Treasure Island Art Guild, founded in 1960, exchanges artistic ideas, enjoys lectures and demonstrations, and provides art shows and receptions. Workshops and specialty classes all are open to members and the public.

treasureislandartguild.org