As a follow-up to an op-ed I penned for the Tampa Bay Times recently, a perfectly timed proposed solution to funding artists and arts organizations was already in the works and was shared by Mack Feldman of Feldman Equities at the recent St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership’s 2026 Development Summit.
St. Pete didn’t become the “Sunshine City” just because of the weather. It was the murals, the theaters, the museums and the artists that turned St. Pete into a world-class destination. But as the skyline climbs, the very artists who painted the town are finding themselves priced out of it.
The new proposal is looking to change that narrative, turning the current development boom into a permanent, self-sustaining engine for the arts. By allowing developers a bit more density (an extra 1.5 FAR or floor area ratio) in exchange for a dedicated contribution to a new City Arts Fund, the city could bridge the gap between “New St. Pete” and the creative soul that started it all.
“The arts fund will serve as a dedicated source of funds for the arts community to secure and maintain affordable space in our city,” says District 6 City Council member Gina Driscoll.
2024’s production of Beauty and the Beast for American Stage in the Park
Currently, developers can get density bonuses to add additional space in their projects for things like contributions to the City’s affordable housing fund and historic preservation. This would add support for artists and arts organizations to that menu. It would be an optional contribution developers could make to enhance the cultural life of St. Pete.
“The first step is getting an arts fund created. After we have that, we can work on funding mechanisms like a potential density bonus or private philanthropy,” said Jason Mathis, CEO of St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.
Mathis added, “The concept has the potential to use new development to help fund a key aspect of what makes St. Pete so special. I think people will be more likely to support new growth if they understand that it is being used to help enhance the things that we all love.”
Imagine a future where a new condo tower on 1st Ave doesn’t just represent more neighbors, but also a guaranteed grant for a local theater company to keep its stage lights on, or a subsidized studio space for a painter who’s been squeezed out of retail space on Central. Under this plan, a percentage of construction costs for these new projects would flow directly into a fund controlled by the city and guided by the arts community.
Emmanuel Jarus makes progress on his mural for SHINE Mural Festival.
As funds are collected, they could create a sizable endowment to support art. Other income streams, including private philanthropy, can add to the fund. This isn’t a one-time donation; it’s a structural shift that ensures every time a new floor is added to our skyline, a proportional dollar amount is reinvested into sustaining a thriving arts and culture scene in St. Pete for what makes us special.
For local art nonprofits, performance companies, artist studios, this could be a game-changer. Instead of constantly hunting for unpredictable private donations, or dwindling support from state or county governments, these organizations could tap into a reliable stream of city-backed grants to fund public murals, artist workshops, community theater, etc.
As thousands of new residents move in, this optional “Arts Tax” ensures that the culture they moved here for doesn’t disappear the moment they unpack. It’s about making sure St. Pete remains a place where you can both build a skyscraper and a sustainable career as a working artist.