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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 is home to a number of professional theaters, symphonies, ballet and opera, over 30 art galleries, artist communities, the Ringling Museum of Art, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. A listing of these and other area arts and culture attractions are provided here for your convenience.

Arts Music
Dance Nature & Science
Film Performing Arts
Galleries & Museums Theater
Historical Sites  

Arts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nature & Science

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

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

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

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

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

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

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