St. Petersburg is among 26  U.S. cities nominated for the Top 25 Arts Designation; if selected, this would make the ninth straight year St. Petersburg has earned the nod. You may cast your vote at www.americanstyle.com now through February 26 by clicking on the Top 25 Arts Destinations logo and completing a short questionnaire.

“It’s important to recognize the unsurpassed quality of the arts in St. Petersburg and the significant role they play in attracting tourism, which translates into more overall dollars for our city,” said Mayor Bill Foster.  “By casting a vote for St. Petersburg, you’ll ensure increased awareness of the city’s creative culture nationwide, as well as improve opportunities for continued economic growth here at home.”

The St. Petersburg arts community has established itself as a target industry with strong public and private support, incorporating six world-class museums, including a brand-new Salvador Dali facility, slated to open in January 2011; dozens of art galleries; the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts/Mahaffey Theater, bringing internationally-acclaimed music and theater to the city; as well as more intimate venues, such as The Palladium Theater and American Stage, onto the forefront.  The city’s diverse arts culture also enters the classroom through Mahaffey Theater’s Class Acts, providing arts education through in-school artist residency programs, professional development, and field trips to curriculum-based stage productions or Creative Clay, which provides art outreach opportunities for children and young adults.