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Council awards tourism contingency grants to Docent Exchange, Black Film Festival and Muscarelle exhibit
Summary
The council approved three Tourism Promotion Contingency Fund awards: $8,610 to the Virginia Docent Exchange, $15,000 to the Virginia Black Film Festival and $25,000 to the Muscarelle Museum of Art for its Abstract Expressionists exhibition, with staff stressing the fund’s purpose to boost overnight visitation.
Williamsburg City Council awarded three tourism promotion contingency grants on Jan. 8 to support events and exhibitions the city expects will drive overnight visitation.
Staff summarized the program’s intent — startup funding for new or expanded projects intended to increase overnight stays — and reported a FY 2026 TPCF budget of $150,000 with no expenditures to date. The three applications recommended for funding were:
• Virginia Docent Exchange: Full funding of $8,610 to support a biennial conference expected to draw 150–200 attendees, co-hosted by the Colonial Williamsburg art museums and the Muscarelle Museum of Art.
• Virginia Black Film Festival: Staff recommended $15,000 toward a $98,790 budget for the festival’s first year in Williamsburg; staff projected attendance of about 3,600 and highlighted programming and a gala featuring actor Keith David.
• Muscarelle Museum of Art: Staff recommended $25,000 (premier sponsorship level) for marketing of the Abstract Expressionists: The Women exhibition, opening Jan. 23 and running through April 26; staff noted the museum previously received a TPCF award for a Michelangelo exhibit.
Council discussed that more applications could arrive later in the fiscal year if funding remains available and expressed support for keeping contingency funds available for late opportunities. A motion to award the three grants as recommended passed by roll call.
