Mission
The MISSION of Pinellas County Cultural Affairs is to serve as an advocate for the arts, by promoting the development and appreciation of the arts in Pinellas County through programs and services for the arts industry, government and the community at large.

Significant Milestones
In June of 1976, the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners created the Pinellas County Arts Council as a permanent cultural organization growing out of the Pinellas County Bicentennial Action ’76 Committee. In its first year it had three staff members and the following year received its first $12,000 to establish the Artists-in-the-Schools Architecture Program which was a pioneer project for the state.

In the succeeding years, the Arts Council grew to a staff of ten with an annual budget of $1.6 million. The council was actively supported with funding by the county and state governments, the city of St. Petersburg, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Juvenile Welfare Board, Pinellas County Schools, as well as corporate sponsors and individuals. Programming grew to provide grants for artists, teachers and cultural organizations; a wide range of arts education opportunities; community cultural planning; arts advocacy; partnerships and collaborations with arts organizations and schools; Business Volunteers for the Arts; a Public Art and Design program; and the formation of the Youth Arts Corps.

On October 1, 2006, the Arts Council and its staff were integrated into Pinellas County government and renamed the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Department, part of the county’s Culture, Education and Leisure Division. The organization’s board of directors continues its advisory role as the Pinellas County Cultural Council.

The Cultural Affairs Department will continue to be both a partner and catalyst in developing a vibrant cultural community for Pinellas County residents, visitors and all who appreciate the arts’ role in community betterment.