After six years of planning and collaboration with our civic and public partners, on September 6 the city of Sarasota approved a master plan initiative. Throughout this process, there was one vision that remained steadfast — the need to build a new state-of-the-art performing arts center.
A preeminent, multi-venue performing arts center that inspires, entertains, and educates with year-round, world-class performances, affordable ticket pricing, and robust education programs.
“Through forward-thinking partnerships and a passionate commitment to respond to the needs of our community, now is the time to move forward and fulfill the master plan’s promise.”
– Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of Van Wezel Foundation
“We are here today standing on the shoulders of Sarasota’s leaders from past generations. It was their vision and will that fueled the current hall’s growth and led it to become a cultural beacon attracting businesses and others to our community, and providing entertainment for all tastes. We are united with that vision and seek to do the same for future generations.”
– Mike Martella, Chairman of Van Wezel Foundation
A Cultural Centerpiece
All photography courtesy Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization
The Sarasota Performing Arts Center will provide a plethora of new opportunities to better serve our community, including:
- A larger, 2,250-seat venue to become more competitive and attract larger touring productions
- A robust education center, expanding programs with a focus on Sarasota youth and life-long learners
- State-of-the-art systems to connect us to the 21st Century
- Improved acoustics and performance technology, allowing for more sophisticated productions
- New event spaces to better support venue activity and provided greater rental opportunities Contemporary standards, enhancing the patron experience
- A multi-venue facility taking better advantage of The Bay views, outdoor space, and other amenities
- A facility that would stand as an iconic structure on The Bay for generations to come.
Creating Impact and Support
“It’s what draws the impact and the infrastructure to help us support our specialty areas like ballet, opera, and theatre. It’s an integral part of the whole community.”
– Jim Shirley, Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
Expanding Education
“What if every child in the region has the opportunity to visit the new performing arts center, the added educational experiences, and the performances.”
– Brigid Kolworth, Early Childhood Learning Specialist
A Community that Believes in the Arts
“A new performing arts center has to be at the forefront of what we want to do to accomplish our community goals.”
– Cedric Hameed, Arts Coordinator, Visible Men Academy
World-Class Performing Arts Centers
“If we’re going to get the community to the same level of recognition in the past for its cultural offerings, it has to have a world-class performing arts center.”
– Darrell Ayers, former VP for Education, John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts
Providing Access
“This is a place children can come express themselves, demonstrate their skills, and connect and engage with the arts.”
– Faith Nawara, Early Learning Professional
Arts Education for Every Child
“The arts have an experiential nature, a hands-on learning, which is the key that unlocks passageways for learning students.”
– Nancy Roucher, Chair, Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
An Enriched Cultural Opportunity
“The transformation of our Bayfront really preserves the essence of Sarasota, where culture and natural beauty were important”
– Michael Saunders, Michael Saunders & Company
Steering Committee:
- Cheryl Mendelson, CEO
- Drayton Saunders, Chair
- Julie Harris, Co-Chair
- Jim Travers, Chair, Strategic Planning
- Darrell Ayers
- Gerald Biller
- Jenne K. Britell
- Adam Carmer
- Jackie Griese
- Roxzene Hunter
- Michael Kneeland
- Ed Maier
- Elaine McClure
- Karl Newkirk
- Harry Orenstein
- Tracey Reid
- Jim Schaffner
- Janet Walter
- Christopher Weaver
- Nanci Weaver
- Patricia Holmes White
- Charles S. Wilson
- Janet Winkler
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Thank you to the group of donors who provided the necessary seed funding to begin this journey
- Herta Cuneo
- Brunckhorst Family
- Ed and Susan Maier
- Jim and Susan Travers
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Julie Harris
- Jenne K. Britell
- Alan and Connie Herbert
- Jonathan and Michelle Mitchell, Edward D. and Anna Mitchell Family Foundation
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation
- Michael Saunders and Company