Arts Lover’s Guide to Sarasota County

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Student Open Mic Night

Calling all Student Poets and Spoken Word Artists – Join the Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate and Program Ambassadors for a one-of-kind student open mic night! Saturday, April 8th at WSLR ...

Coming Soon: AEP6 Study

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is proud once again to be a part of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study (AEP6), an economic impact study of ...

2023 Visions in Black Exhibitions

Open to the public, Generational and Professional Artists Perspectives Cross-Town Exhibition featuring Artists of Color A 3-part gallery collaboration and crosspollination Painting, Drawing, Photography, Mix-Media, Sculpture Artist Awards February 2nd ...

Interim Executive Director Announced

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, your source for arts and culture throughout the Cultural Coast, has announced the appointment of Kelley Lavin as interim Executive Director following ...

Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate Announced

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is thrilled to announce the appointment of the inaugural Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate for the Cultural Coast region, Hayley Peace.  Peace, an ...

2022 – 2023 Grant Recipients

Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Announces Recipients of  Annual John Ringling Tower and Opportunity Grants  The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County continues to support local artists, ...

Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate Awards Ceremony

Monday, November 7, 2022 at 5:30 PM Historic Asolo Theatre at The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243 The official program will take place on stage of ...

Application Deadline Extended

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian, we have decided to extend the application deadline for the Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate Program to Friday, October 7, 2022. If you are ...

Studio Space for Rent Fall 2022

Coming soon! Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery is expanding and will be offering Artist studio space rentals! Located at 925 Lime Avenue, “Even More Creative Liberties” is steps away ...

School Board Candidate Forum

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, members of our arts and cultural community gathered at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to hear from the six candidates running for seats on the Sarasota ...

Become a TDC/A Grant Panelist

Looking for a way to support local arts and culture organizations? Want to ensure that our arts and culture organizations have the resources that they need for their programming? Excited ...

Arts Alliance Executive Director to Retire

Arts and Cultural Alliance Executive Director, Jim Shirley, has announced he will retire at the end of December 2022. Shirley assumed leadership in 2009 of what was then called the ...

Organization Members Meeting Recording

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our members meeting. We truly appreciate you taking the time out of your day to get tuned in to all the things ...

2022 – 2023 Arts & Culture Guide Submissions

Submission Deadline: Friday, August 5, 2022 At the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we want you to know we recognize the need to promote the arts in Sarasota ...

“ARTY the Shark” comes to Sarasota

Borderless Arts TN, formerly VSA TN, is an organization based out of Nashville, Tennessee that works with people with disabilities through the arts. In their visual arts program, they not only teach new art techniques, but also ...

Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate Program

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County will follow the lead of the nation in acknowledging a student who has achieved excellence in poetry, allowing them to be a ...

2022 Giving Challenge

Noon to Noon, April 26 – 27, 2022 2022 Giving Challenge Campaign Video From the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County BE THE ONE to support art and culture throughout ...

Ukrainian Kids Art

An Art Exhibition to Support Ukrainian Children, April 30th – May 21st The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is proud to be a sponsoring partner of the upcoming ...

FAPAP Annual Conference Open Sessions

April 27 – 29, 2022 at the Art Ovation Hotel in Downtown Sarasota Open Sessions Registration  It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2022 Florida Association of Public ...

Sarasota Art Museum Teen Arts Council (SAM TAC)

Sarasota Art Museum’s Teen Art Council – SAM TAC is a group of fifteen creative high school students who share a common interest in art and community engagement. The Teen ...

SquareRoot of Love, A John Sims Project 

“Life without love is not life at all.” – Leonardo Da Vinci On the occasion of Valentine’s Day 2022, conceptual artist, writer and activist John Sims will present the 6th annual SquareRoot of ...

Sarasota Visual Artists Open Studios

Complimenting Sarasota’s rich history of  arts and culture, our growing community of artist studios provides an interactive experience for visitors to meet artists, learn about their creative inspiration, and directly purchase ...

A Walk to Respect

ABOUT As part of Honoring and Onward, in partnership with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, The Patterson Foundation announced a staged reading of a new one-act play, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: A ...

Cindy Balistreri, FMEA Hall of Fame

Cindy Balistreri, well-known Sarasota music educator and arts advocate, received the 2022 Florida Music Education Hall of Fame Award that honors individuals for outstanding contributions over an extended period of ...

Alliance on ARTS AXIS FLORIDA

“In our season finale of the ARTS AXIS FLORIDA Podcast, we speak with two organizations that are helping to bring our communities together through fun-filled events, programs, and cultural education: ...

Alliance Board Appoints New President and Secretary

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, your source for arts and culture throughout Sarasota County, announced today the appointment of Kelley Lavin as the new President and Sheila ...

2021-2022 Arts & Culture Guide

#SafeArts Protocols Revised

The participating arts organizations will uphold robust health and safety protocols for the protection of the community, patrons, artists and staff, and to maintain the economic stability of local arts ...

Arts & Culture Guide Submissions

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 At the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we want you to know we recognize the need to promote the arts in Sarasota ...

Sarasota Youth Opera Summer Camp 2021

Sarasota Youth Opera Summer Camp 2021 | June 21 – July 2 | Ages 8 – 18 Let the Sarasota Opera show you how fun opera is on and off ...

Internship Funding Opportunity

New College of Florida (NCF) is sponsoring a select number of non-profit/501c3 organizations and government agencies in Sarasota and Manatee counties to fund internships with project(s) focused in the arts ...

Public Art Project Awarded

The One Heart branding project, created by two Ringling College students, won two awards at the recent local ADDY Awards – a Gold award and a Judges’ Choice award. There ...

Safe Arts Sarasota

The performing arts raise spirts, provide joy, and spark inspiration for many in our community. We believe it is vital that the show go on, and that it does so ...

Paint Sarasota with Love Mural Project

The City of Sarasota was founded on a legacy of art and during times of uncertainty we continue to turn to the arts for comfort and hope. In the early ...

2020 Grant Recipients

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County continues to support local artists, historic preservation, and arts and cultural organizations through the John Ringling Tower and State of the Arts ...

Arts and Culture Guide

Enjoy this digital copy of the 2020-2021 Arts and Culture Guide!

Lido Beach Pavilion Murals

A community task force formed by the The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and Visit Sarasota County has been guiding the creation of a series of murals on ...

Sarasota County CARES Act Funding

To all Sarasota County Arts and Cultural Non-Profits: Sarasota County is launching CARES Act Funds application process today, Wednesday September 16th at noon. Business assistance applications will be available starting ...

Paint Sarasota with Love

Meet the artists that are Painting Sarasota with Love. Simoné Corbert NameSimoné CorbertMural LocationWestcoast Black Theatre, 1012 North Orange, Sarasota Website/Social Media instagram.com/kaylasimoneart, facebook.com/kaylasimoneartWhere were you born/raised? Sarasota, FloridaHow would ...

Commission Candidate Forums

Recorded Live Moderated by Jim Shirley, Executive Director, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Candidates also completed surveys in August, read their responses here. CITY OF SARASOTA COMMISSION CANDIDATESRecorded ...

Sarasota County Commission Candidates Survey

We invited the Sarasota County Commission candidates to share their views about local arts and culture. We have provided their responses to help you make an informed decision. Respondents were ...

City of Sarasota Commission Candidates Survey

We invited the City of Sarasota Commission candidates to share their views about local arts and culture. We have provided their responses to help you make an informed decision. Respondents ...

City of North Port Commission Candidates Survey

We invited the City of North Port Commission candidates to share their views about local arts and culture. We have provided their responses to help you make an informed decision. ...

Candidates’ Views on the Arts

To assist our local voters in informed decisions, the Alliance has conducted surveys with candidates for Sarasota County School Board, Sarasota County Commission, City of Sarasota Commission, and City of ...

Arts and Culture Guide Submissions

Submission Deadline: Monday, August 17, 2020 At the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we want you to know we recognize the need to promote the arts in Sarasota ...

The Ad Valorem Exemption

The choice by the Sarasota County property appraiser’s office to challenge the ad valorem exemption of several arts and cultural not-for-profit organizations opens a potential “pandora’s box” for all Sarasota ...

Paint Sarasota with Love

A Call for Muralist and Walls The City of Sarasota was founded on a legacy of art and during times of uncertainty we continue to turn to the arts for ...

Support Local Art

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County (Alliance) is currently selling “Support Local Art” t-shirts and bags to support the John Ringling Tower Fund. Through this fund, the Alliance ...

Happy Birthday, Willie!

On May 5, 2020 legendary circus performer Willie Edelston celebrated his 97th birthday! His friends surprised him with a birthday parade – a circus parade, of course. Willie’s friends arrive ...

Display Your Art at the Alliance

Exhibit your art at the Alliance Gallery in the Center for Arts & Humanity. Details• exhibit space is provided for 1-month at no cost to the artist• the Alliance will ...

Thank You Donors!

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is humbled by the outpouring of support displayed during the 2020 Giving Challenge. Thank you to our donors, you truly do Stand ...

Mural of Gratitude

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause suffering throughout the world, healthcare professionals have sacrificed their lives to ensure our safety. Completed Sarasota Heroes mural at 1717 Second Street In ...

Giving Challenge Partners

We Stand Together for the Arts! The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County would like to thank our 2020 Giving Challenge partners: Senior Friendship Centers  Music Compound Together we ...

We Stand for the Arts!

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is proud to Stand for the Arts! We do this by supporting arts in education, advocating for local organizations, providing grants, and ...

Inspire Sarasota Cancelled

As you are all well aware, the COVID-19 virus has created an unprecedented situation for the world.  After having conversations with Sarasota County and the School System, we have decided ...

COVID-19 Concerns for Arts Organizations

Websites for current information about COVID-19:Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Information Sarasota County Emergency Flash Reports In the interest of public health and in compliance with local health advisories arts ...

Art Battle Postponed

In light of the rapidly evolving and serious public health challenge posed by the COVID19 Pandemic and the associated government restrictions on travel and large gatherings, all Art Battle 2020 ...

State Art Battle

Join Art Battle in Sarasota for the most anticipated event of the season! Regular season event winners and All Stars from Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, and Venice return for their chance ...

Sarasota Creators Lou Jacobs

Lou Jacobs came to America from Germany in 1923 and was hired by Ringling Bothers Circus in 1925. For the next 60 years Jacobs delighted audiences as an auguste clown ...

Congratulations Joan and Victoria

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County partnered with Venice Art Center and Art Center Sarasota to bring two Art Battles to the county this past weekend. Art Battle ...

Inspire Sarasota Booths Available

The 2020 Inspire Sarasota Family Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The Inspire Sarasota Family Festival features over 40 youth performances. Purchasing a booth is the perfect opportunity for ...

Selected Art Battle Artists

The Art Battle team has been working diligently to narrow down the applications to compete to just 12 artists for each of our Sarasota County Art Battles. The competitors will ...

Welcome, Andy Sandburg

On Tuesday, January 28, 5 p.m., the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, 1226 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is hosting a reception to welcome new Hermitage Artist Retreat ...

Sarasota County Art Battles

The 2019 Art Battle The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is thrilled to bring Art Battle back to Sarasota County! This year, in partnership with Venice Art Center, ...

Annual Arts and Culture Guide

Have you seen the new 2019/2020 Arts and Culture Guide?! It is packed full of high quality arts and culture events in the Sarasota area. 2019/2020 Arts and Culture Guide. ...

The Winners Are…

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County held its annual Celebration of the Arts event on Monday, October 21, 2019 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Hosted by ...

Arts Leadership Academy Returns

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is pleased to announce the Arts Leadership Academy. Back by popular demand, the Arts Leadership Academy develops emerging leaders by immersing them ...

Annual Celebration of the Arts

Join us for the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s annual Celebration of the Arts. This FREE event recognizes individuals in the arts and culture community with the Arts Leadership Awards. In ...

New Alliance Staff

L: Michele Redwine, R: Ria Cooper The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County (Alliance) has recently added two new employees to the staff. Alliance executive director, Jim Shirley, states, ...

Culture Convenes in Sarasota

The Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA) reached their 50th anniversary this year and selected Sarasota as the place to celebrate! Of course, we agree that this ...

Wealthy ‘playground’ is a myth

9/17/2019 Rodgers: Wealthy ‘playground’ is a myth – Opinion – Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Sarasota, FL By Bruce RodgersRecently we have read several articles, columns and letters to the editor related ...

Fun Facts About The Players

In celebration of 90 years of The Players Centre for Performing Arts, here are some fun facts throughout their history. The theatre opened in 1929, in the midst of The ...

Nominate an Arts Leader

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Arts Leadership Awards. Awards are presented the people that dedicate their time and talents to ...

Alliance Exhibition 2019/2020 Season

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is pleased to share the schedule for the 2019/2020 Alliance Member Exhibits. These exhibits showcase the incredibly talented visual artists we have ...

Congratulations, Chris Bales!

On August 15th, 100 people walked slowly in a circle in the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel as they watched three local painters create works of art in 30 minutes. ...

Alliance Wins Two State Public Relations Awards

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is excited to share that we have received a Golden Image Award and a Judges Award from the Florida Public Relations Association! The awards were ...

Young Professionals in the Arts

We are always proud of the impressive young professionals that are nominated as finalists for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year, but this year is ...

Summer Skirmish

One Round Three Artists Winner Receives…Bragging Rights Art Battle was so much fun that we have decided tohost a sizzling summer skirmish!  Karen ChandlerMara Torres Thursday, August 155:30 PM – ...

Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Grants Funded

Thank you to the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners for your unanimously approved of the recommendations for the 2020 Tourist Development Cultural/Arts (TDC/A) grants! This year 38 local arts ...

The Art of Connecting: Authentic & Efficient Communications

Monday, July 29Workshop: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PMCenter for Arts and Humanities1226 North Tamiami TrailFREE Communications professionals will be available for individual and group consultations from 4 PM – 5 ...

Roundabout Sculpture Finalists

Get Involved in Selecting Sarasota’s Next Public Art Please join the Public Art Committee for the City of Sarasota as they see presentations from six world-renowned sculptors. These are the ...

Alliance Grant Schedule

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2020/2021 John Ringling Tower and Opportunity Grants! These grants are available for local arts organizations, individual artists ...

Guide to Arts and Culture Listings

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, in partnership with Sarasota Scene Magazine and with funding from the Tourist Development Tax, is pleased to bring you the 2019-2020 Arts and ...

Arts Improve Academic Performance

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Have Social Impact

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Improve Healthcare

Sorry about the incorrect link: click here to learn about the art of Patriot Plaza. Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to ...

Arts for Military

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Improve Individual Well-Being

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Unify Communities

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Strengthen the Economy

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Drive Tourism

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Spark Creativity and Innovation

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Arts Drive Creative Industries

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts creates an annual list of 10 Reasons to Support the Arts. Here at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, we are ...

Applications Available for Alliance Member Exhibits

Exhibition at the Alliance Gallery in the Center for Arts & Humanity Details • exhibit space is provided for 1-month at no cost to the artist • the Alliance will ...

Inspire Sarasota Success!

Mei- Li Gonzalez of Sarasota Contemporary Dance Members of the Sarasota community would walk by the performances at the Inspire Sarasota Family Festival in Five Points Park on Saturday and ...

Dedication of Jumping Fish

The City of Sarasota added the 84th piece of public art to their collection on April 8, 2019 with the dedication of Jeffrey Laramore’s Jumping Fish in the roundabout at ...

2019 Summer Seasons

In the past, Sarasota became a sleepy summer town, but thanks to the addition of summer performances and seasons, the arts are here all year round! Asolo Repertory Theatre Summer ...

Pen Women present Awards to High School Seniors in the Arts

The National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) – Sarasota Branch presented awards to high school seniors from Manatee and Sarasota schools in Writing, Visual Arts and Music on March ...

Inspire Sarasota Performance Schedule

Inspire Sarasota Family Festival April 13, 20199:30 am – 4:30 pm Five Points Park The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is please to share the 2019 Inspire Sarasota ...