Sarasota Arts and Culture

Sarasota is known as Florida's "Cultural Coast." John Ringling, the circus founder, was at the forefront of cultural development. Like many, he spent winters in Sarasota and was one of the first to bring art and culture to this area. In the 1920's he built the John and Mable Ringling Museum to hold his personal art.

Sarasota is fortunate to have a thriving artist and cultural community. If you are relocating from a larger city you can feel comfortable knowing that Sarasota boasts numerous venues for art entertainment. Below are just a few of the reason why this area has been considered to cultural capital of Florida.

Asolo Theatre

A professional theatre company dedicated to entertaining audiences of all ages. It was originally founded by Florida State University.

The Asolo Theatre Company
5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34243
(941) 351-8000 or (800) 361-8388

Florida Studio Theatre

This theatre has been operating since 1973 and has grown into a theatre with more than 20,000 subscribers a year. This theatre also has an extensive education program which offers over 20 classes a week.

Florida Studio Theatre
1241 Palm Ave. N.
Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 366-9000

Ringling School of Art and Design

This is one of the nation's premier art and design colleges. The school's primary mission is to, "provide programs leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree that prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design."

Van Wezel Performing Arts Center

This is the purple sea shelled shaped building located on the Sarasota Bay. After showing real estate on Lido Key or Longboat Key and driving back into Sarasota, many buyers inquire about this building because of it's color and shape. This hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 33 years. The 6,000 square foot Grand Foyer comfortably seats 35-350, and opens onto the Terrace and Bayfront Lawn accommodating an additional 1500.

VanWezel Performing Arts Center
777 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 953-3368

Sarasota Film Festival

This event will be held March 31st through April 9th, 2006. You will see over 85 international and independent features. This festival brings many wonderful films to local audiences, focusing its attention on less mainstream movies and foreign features. Some of the events allow you to rub elbows with some of Hollywood's best actors and actresses.

Sarasota Arts Council

A private, non profit organization whose mission is to create an environment where arts flourish.

Sarasota Arts Council
1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 300
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 365-5118

The Player's Theatre

The Players is a Florida not-for-profit organization. It feautures musicals, theatres, concerts and other programs in Sarasota.

The Players Theatre
838 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941)365-2494

The Jazz Club of Sarasota

Founded in 1980, this is one of the liveliest, toe-tappingest groups in town, providing loads of great jazz and community programs for Florida's West Coast.

Jazz Club of Sarasota
330 S. Pineapple Ave.,#111
Sarasota, FL. 34236
(941) 366-1552

Sarasota Orchestra

This is the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida. It has a 37 week season and performs in many of Sarasota's venues.

709 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 953-4252

Sarasota Ballet

Sarasota Ballet, a dance company in operation for over a decade, presents a wide array of dance in different styles. The company hosts a range of special events each year in addition to its regularly featured programs.

5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234
(941)552-1032

Sarasota Opera House

This is a cornerstone of Sarasota's Theater Arts District. It host everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to film festivals, popular music concerts, comedy shows and clowns. The building will seat up to 390 people.

Sarasota Opera House
61 North Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 366-8450