Sarasota's extraordinary arts scene — from the Ringling Museum and Asolo Repertory Theatre to the Sarasota Ballet and Marie Selby Gardens — rivals cities ten times its size.
Sarasota, with a population of roughly 55,000, has an arts and culture infrastructure that rivals cities ten times its size. The legacy of circus magnate John Ringling, who made Sarasota his winter home and left it one of the world's great art museums, set a cultural standard that the city has built upon for a century.
The Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is Florida's state art museum and one of America's finest — a 66-acre complex on Sarasota Bay including:
- The Art Museum — European masters including one of America's finest Rubens collections
- Ca' d'Zan — The Ringlings' extraordinary Venetian Gothic mansion (24 rooms, open for tours)
- The Circus Museum — Fascinating history of American circus culture
- The Bayfront Gardens — Stunning tropical gardens on Sarasota Bay
Performing Arts
- Asolo Repertory Theatre — One of America's premier regional theaters, performing in a beautifully restored 19th-century theater
- Sarasota Ballet — Nationally acclaimed ballet company
- Florida Studio Theatre — Six performance spaces, producing more shows than any theater in America outside of NYC
- Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Iconic purple shell on the bayfront, hosting Broadway touring shows and concerts
- Sarasota Opera — One of America's most distinguished regional opera companies
Visual Arts
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — World-renowned orchid and bromeliad collections
- Art Center Sarasota — Member gallery and visual arts education
- Towles Court Artist Colony — Artist village with studios open on the third Friday of each month
The Sarasota Film Festival
The Sarasota Film Festival is one of Florida's premier film events, typically held in April, bringing independent films and celebrity visitors to the city's downtown venues.
Getting to Sarasota for Arts Events
- From TPA Airport: 65-80 minutes; pricing varies by route and season — request a quote
- From Clearwater: 55-70 minutes; pricing varies by route and season — request a quote
- From Tampa Downtown: 65-75 minutes; pricing varies by route and season — request a quote