Council awards tourism contingency grants to Docent Exchange, Black Film Festival and Muscarelle exhibit

Williamsburg City Council awarded three tourism promotion contingency grants on Jan. 8 to support events and exhibitions the city expects will drive overnight visitation.

Staff summarized the program’s intent — startup funding for new or expanded projects intended to increase overnight stays — and reported a FY 2026 TPCF budget of $150,000 with no expenditures to date. The three applications recommended for funding were:

• Virginia Docent Exchange: Full funding of $8,610 to support a biennial conference expected to draw 150–200 attendees, co-hosted by the Colonial Williamsburg art museums and the Muscarelle Museum of Art.

• Virginia Black Film Festival: Staff recommended $15,000 toward a $98,790 budget for the festival’s first year in Williamsburg; staff projected attendance of about 3,600 and highlighted programming and a gala featuring actor Keith David.

• Muscarelle Museum of Art: Staff recommended $25,000 (premier sponsorship level) for marketing of the Abstract Expressionists: The Women exhibition, opening Jan. 23 and running through April 26; staff noted the museum previously received a TPCF award for a Michelangelo exhibit.

Council discussed that more applications could arrive later in the fiscal year if funding remains available and expressed support for keeping contingency funds available for late opportunities. A motion to award the three grants as recommended passed by roll call.