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Downtown board votes to boost Chalk the Bay funding to $50,000
Summary
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board voted to increase a staff-recommended $30,000 high-impact grant for the Chalk the Bay Art & Music Festival to up to $50,000 after presentations showing sponsorship potential and an event budget gap.
The Downtown Development Board on Aug. 3 approved awarding Chalk the Bay an amount not to exceed $50,000 to support the three-day art and music festival slated for Jan. 15–17, 2027. Staff initially recommended a high-impact grant of up to $30,000; Amber Bryce, the city’s arts and cultural affairs manager, told trustees the event’s total budget is approximately $75,000 and that sponsorships are expected to close the gap.
Bryce said the festival is expected to attract roughly 6,000 attendees and could host up to 80 professional chalk artists. “When I created this, we had 53 applications. As of this morning, we actually have 84 applications from artists from all over The US and Mexico,” she said, adding that $50,000 would permit a larger artist stipend pool and more marketing. Board members asked how staff would scale the event if sponsorships fall short; Bryce said artists would be waitlisted and some features, such as mural walls, could be deferred.
After discussion, Board member (speaker 2) moved to approve the larger award and the motion carried by voice vote. The board approved the funding with the condition the organizers pursue sponsorships and report back on final budget allocations as those funds are secured.
The board also discussed merchant impact and how to link event visitors to downtown businesses; staff and trustees requested follow-up plans showing merchant engagement as sponsorships develop.
