Sarasota Arts and Culture

A Rich History of Tradition.

Sarasota residents have a longstanding love of the arts and culture that dates back to the 1920′s and the era of John and Mable Ringling. Sarasota and nearby island residents enjoy the best of metropolitan art, music, media, performances, and galleries just minutes away.

Commonly referred to as the Culture Coast of Florida, Sarasota’s rich arts scene rivals some of the largest urban settings in the country. Sarasota is home to dozens of performing arts groups including theaters, professional symphony, ballet and opera, over 30 art galleries, artist communities, the Ringling Museum of Art boasting one of the largest collections of Peter Paul Rubens paintings and a spectacular Circus display, art festivals, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall where guests can see everything from Broadway productions to lectures from renowned world leaders.

Join in with the Key Chorale, Jazz Club, Blues Society or any of the other groups that offer residents the chance to make their own place in the local music scene. Residents of the region enjoy the best of metropolitan art, music, and live theatre just minutes away from virtually any of our wonderful Sarasota neighborhoods.

Getting a feel for the folklore of Sarasota is as easy as visiting even just one of the spectacular historical sites. From plantations and nature centers to remarkably preserved Indian settlements, there is much to choose from. Family not-to-miss destinations include the fun and fascination at the Gulf Coast Wonder and Imagination Zone or Mote Marine Laboratories. And, events and festivals abound all year-round.

A listing of some of the many arts and culture attractions are provided here for your convenience.

Arts

Art Center Sarasota
707 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-365-2032

Longboat Key Arts Center
6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key, FL
941-383-2345

Ringling School of Art and Design
2700 N. Tamiami Trail
941-351-5100

Towles Court Artist Colony
Take the John Ringling Causeway to US 41.
Turn left onto US 41 and then right onto Fruitville Rd. Go approximately one mile to HWY 301.
Turn right and go 4 blocks to either Adams Lane or Morrill St.

Venice Art Center
390 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice, FL
941-485-7136

Dance

Ballroom Dancesport Theater
2272 Main St., Sarasota, FL
941-955-8558

Sarasota Ballet
5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-359-0771

Film

Sarasota Film Society
At Burns Court Cinema
941-364-8662

Galleries & Museums

Anna Maria Island Museum
402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, FL
941-778-0492

Clyde Butcher Venice Gallery and Studio
237 Warfield Avenue, Venice, FL
941-486-0811

Crowley Museum and Nature Center
16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL
941-322-1000

The Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL
941-355-5101

Sarasota Classic Car Museum
5500 Tamiami Trail North, Sarasota, FL
941.355.6228

The South Florida Museum
201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL
941-746-4132

Historical Sites

Gamble Plantation State Historic Site
West of I-75 Exit 43 near U.S. 301 East in Ellenton
941-723-4536

Historic Spanish Point
500 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL
941-966-5214

Indian Mound Park
210 Winston Avenue, Englewood, FL
941-861-5000

Madira Bickel Mound
3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton, FL
941-723-4536

Manatee Village Historical Park
1404 Manatee Avenue E., Bradenton, FL
941-749-7165

Phillipi Estate Park and Edson Keith Mansion
5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-861-5000

Warm Mineral Springs
12200 San Servando Avenue, North Port, FL.
941.426.1692

Music

The Florida West Coast Symphony
709 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-953-4252

The Jazz Club of Sarasota
290 Coconut Ave. Bldg. 3, Sarasota, FL
941-366-1552

Key Chorale
941-921-4845

La Musica
941-366-8450, ext. 3

Sarasota Opera
61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL
941-366-8450

The Sarasota Orchestra
709 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-953-4252

Nature & Science

Ann Marbut Environmental Library
7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL
941-316-1242

Bay Preserve
400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey, FL
941-918-2100

Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer Boulevard, Sarasota, FL
941-371-6377

Bishop Planetarium
10th Street West, Bradenton, FL
941-746-STAR

Crowley Museum and Nature Center
16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL
941-322-1000

G. Wiz – Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone
1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL
941-906-1851

Historic Spanish Point
337 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL
941-966-5214

Joan M Durante Park
5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL
941-316-1988

Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center
570 Bay Park Boulevard, Englewood, FL
941-861-5000

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL
941-366-5730

Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL
941-388-2451

Myakka River State Park
13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL
941-361-6511

Oscar Scherer State Park
1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL
941-483-5956

Parker Manatee Aquarium
10th Street West, Bradenton, FL
941-746-4131

Quick Point Nature Preserve
100 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL
941-316-1988

Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL
941-355-5305

Save our Seabirds
Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota, FL
941-388-3010

Performing Arts

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-955-7676

Theater

Asolo Theatre Company
5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-351-8000

Banyan Theater Company
5555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-358-5330

Circus Sarasota
8251 15th St. E., Sarasota, FL
941-355-9815

Florida Studio Theatre
1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL
941-366-9000

The Golden Apple Dinner Theater
25 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL
941-366-5454

The Players Theater
838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-365-2494

Venice Little Theater
140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice, FL
941-488-1115