Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation Inc

Additionally, the foundation provides grants to the van wezel performing arts hall to support its education programs and to local teachers via the appleton award and merit scholarship

On september 6, 2018, the sarasota city commission approved the bayfront master plan with a new performing arts center at the heart of the bay park that will become the nexus of performing arts in our region for generations to come. The foundation and the city of sarasota have had a thriving cultural partnership for over three decades. On april 4, 2022, the foundation's partnership role expanded with the sarasota city commission approving the execution of a partnership agreement for the planning, financing, design, and construction of the new sarasota performing arts center. Together, both parties have laid the necessary groundwork-surveys, feasibility studies, engineering studies, and cost estimates. The new performing arts center will be more than a building. As a financially robust, year-round civic asset, sarasota performing arts center will enhance sarasota's reputation as a regional, national, and international cultural destination. The building program is committed to accessibility and universal design that can be used by everyone and will include a 2,200-seat main stage including center aisle(s), 300-seat flexible performance space, education and life long learning spaces, multiple outdoor public performing spaces, and technology that will allow performances to be simulcast into the park.