Morean Arts Center is $2M closer to redevelopment

After 26 years in the same cramped building at 719 Central Avenue, the Morean Arts Center is ready to move up in the world.

The exhibition and education facility, which celebrates its 108^th anniversary in 2025, received a gift Tuesday from Pinellas County Commissioners: $2.25 million in funding towards a new, state-of-the-art, five story structure totaling 46,541 square feet.

The project, with an estimated price tag of $30 million, has been in discussions for several years. Architects have been retained and renderings created.

Since 2017, the Morean has stewarded the Chihuly Collection, consisting of multiple works by world-class glass artist Dale Chihuly, in a leased building across the street at 720 Central.

The desired new facility would not only provided more Morean gallery and classroom space, plus a café and expanded parking, it would allow the Chihuly Collection to be housed under the same roof.

Morean executive director Howaya Affan addressed the Commission during Wednesday’s meeting. “This project is not just about the arts,” she said, “it’s about tourism impact. According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the Chihuly Collection ranks among the top two most visited cultural attractions.”

The money for the Morean Arts Center was the latest county award based on the Tourist Development Council’s recommendations, through its Capital Projects Funding Program, which is overseen by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

Eight funding requests were received; each application was subjected to a complicated vetting process and survey that recorded and tabulated the economic (real and potential) economic impact of each organization.

The Morean Arts Center’s initial ask was just over $15 million. At a February meeting, county commissioners recommended, based on the results of the TDC survey, $1,135,000.

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“The name Chihuly carries global recognition, and serves as a major economic driver for our county,” Terry Marks, CEO of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, told commissioners.

“The Arts Center’s redevelopment is a strategic investment in our county’s future, and I urge you to support this transformative project with the facts that have been shared with you.”

Commissioners agreed, and granted the Arts Center nearly double the previously-recommended amount in a 4-to-1 vote, with Chair Brian Scott casting the “no” vote. 

Brian Lowack, director of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, called the Morean Arts Center “a vital piece of the arts and culture of Pinellas County, of St. Petersburg, of the entire destination.”

The Commission also approved, at Tuesday’s meeting, $7.85 million for redevelopment of the Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina.

The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave. File photo.