Around Greater Tampa Bay’s every corner, there is beauty — whether natural or manmade — and solace is easy to find.
Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” If that is the case, then the residents of Greater Tampa Bay should consider themselves dusted and polished. GTB understands the importance of art as an essential building block for any flourishing community.
The area’s vibrant and diverse art culture makes it a colorful place to live and a place of refuge for artists and creative minds. From the vivid murals splashed on building walls to prestigious fine arts schools raising the next generation of groundbreaking artists, GTB is a breeding ground for creativity and expression.
Visibly Brilliant
From public art instillations and galleries to art museums celebrating the masters, the visual art of GTB is something to behold. Follow the art throughout GTB and discover what makes each community unique.
Hop aboard the trolley at St. Pete’s Waterfront District, which has the distinct honor of housing the world-class Salvador Dali Museum, containing 2,100 pieces of the master’s work. The building, a geodesic glass bubble created by architect Yann Weymouth, is a work of art on its own. Here, visitors can get lost in the surrealism of Dali, or admire works from other legends like Van Gogh and Picasso.
Downtown St. Pete houses the Central Arts District, where independent artists, studios and galleries color the landscape. The famous glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly, including the iconic 20-foot entry piece created distinctly for the Chihuly Collection site by the still-living artist, are permanent fixtures in St. Pete.
To continue a classic St. Pete art crawl, visit the ethereal glass art exhibits in the Imagine Museum in the Grand Central District. Enjoy the collection of eclectic art galleries in the Edge District and find the perfect gift at The Morean Center for Clay, makers of high-quality pottery, in the Warehouse Arts District. Learn about African American history and culture by attending a jazz show or performance at The Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in the Deuces Live District, and patron the small galleries and cafes in the charming MLK North District. PIN IT
St. Pete’s commitment to the art community also includes a comprehensive strategy to become the Southeastern United States’ creative epicenter. In 2021, St. Pete took a step toward that goal, opening the 40,000-square-foot Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Arts and Crafts movement.
Lights, Camera, Action
With classics like “Goodfellas” and “A Time to Kill” being filmed in the area, it is little surprise a strong film community has rooted itself in GTB.
The area also boasts two film commissions, Film Tampa Bay and the St. Pete/Clearwater Film Commission. These nonprofits are dedicated to attracting major motion media production companies to film in GTB and offer support to help film projects in the area run smoothly.
For a more intimate film experience, visit the Green Light Cinema in St. Pete. This local gem is an 80-seat art house movie theater offering a diverse line-up of indies, foreign, docs, classics and local content to the community.
A Masterful Performance
From the thriving music scene to street performers and state-of-the-art theaters, GTB offers locals plenty of opportunities to be patrons of the performing arts.
The Mahaffey Theater — Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in St. Pete is a performing arts facility and concert hall located on the downtown waterfront. Feel like royalty and sit in the theater’s luxurious, European-style box seating while catching a symphony or ballet from the St. Petersburg Ballet.
The University of South Florida’s College of the Arts and St. Petersburg College are two premier performing arts schools in GTB that offer concentrations in art, art history, theater, music and dance. Find inspiration in the next generation by attending one of the over 250 yearly concerts, performances, exhibitions, lectures, symposia and festivals presented by the colleges.
GTB also gives residents the opportunity to transform from spectator to performer through a plethora of performing arts schools and classes for all ages. Anyone with a love for dance, even those with two left feet, can train with the best at the Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory. Youngsters with dreams of Broadway will be at home at St. Pete Music, Acting, and Dance. At the Music Compound in Bradenton, little ones and adults alike can learn to master a variety of instruments.
