Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Nonprofit Capital Project Fund administered by Pinellas Community Foundation, eligible nonprofit organizations across Pinellas County received funding to strengthen their capacity and expand services. While the program has now concluded, its impact continues to be felt through projects like this one from Creative Clay.
For nearly 30 years, Creative Clay has helped people with disabilities in Pinellas County build full, inclusive lives through expressive, educational, and vocational arts programs. Today the organization serves roughly 90 artists, offering professional instruction and hands-on job training. But COVID-19 put all of that at risk, closing their doors for 15 months and canceling 31 planned events, workshops, exhibitions, and fundraisers. Teaching artists were laid off, attendance dried up, and longtime partnerships built over decades began to slip away. Staff shifted to virtual instruction just to keep artists connected, but the financial damage left little room to invest in the equipment and technology the organization needed to grow.
Support from Pinellas Community Foundation changed that trajectory. PCF connected Creative Clay with ARPA funding for laptops, iPads with Apple Pencils, a desktop workstation for digital media, a professional camera, a sound system, outdoor fans, and security cameras.
The new technology opened up creative disciplines for artists who previously worked only in traditional visual media — from digital drawing and animation to music production, video editing, and photography. Artwork created on iPads becomes prints and apparel, giving artists a new source of income, while the camera and desktop computer introduced filmmaking, songwriting, and stop-motion animation. These programs help develop real, employable skills and a stronger sense of belonging.
Building on that momentum, Creative Clay applied for a second ARPA grant to address two longstanding vulnerabilities. A drain installed outside the back door has stopped water from entering the building, sparing the organization from replacing flood-damaged art, equipment, and supplies. A new white vinyl privacy fence replaced an old, rusted chain-link structure — making the space feel safer and more welcoming for artists and visitors alike.
Behind the scenes, the upgrades have made the organization run better, too. Security cameras have improved safety and given staff a clearer picture of on-site activity, especially valuable when working with individuals who face communication barriers. Outdoor fans and the new fence keep the classroom and event space usable and inviting through Florida’s heat, helping drive stronger turnout at monthly markets.
The results are clear. Attendance at First Friday Art Markets has doubled and revenue has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. That turnout matters because research indicates that exposure alone isn’t enough to shift public attitudes toward people with disabilities — the quality of interaction is what counts. That’s why Creative Clay’s member artists market their own work directly in the community: at gallery openings, partner exhibits, radio and television appearances, fundraisers, and art festivals, earning a 50% commission on every piece they sell. Each encounter lets an artist show up as a professional with a unique perspective to share, not just as someone being included.
The funding didn’t just help Creative Clay bounce back — it helped the organization expand. Staff have been rehired, additional events hosted, and programming now stretches well beyond visual arts into music, performance, photography, and digital media.
Creative Clay’s turnaround is a clear example of what becomes possible when resources meet real community need — and what PCF’s role as a connector makes possible for organizations across Pinellas County.
Inspired by what is possible in Pinellas County? Learn how to establish a fund at Pinellas Community Foundation and put your giving to work: https://www.pinellascf.org
