Arts & Culture
The state of the arts is unrivaled in Southwest Florida. From The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota - which features the works of Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese - and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, to the region's museums, theaters, festivals and world-class concerts, Southwest Florida is a constantly evolving cultural paradise.
Some of the area's highlights include:
The Annual Sarasota Film Festival
Every year, the stars descend on Sarasota to celebrate the art of film-making and share their artistic perspectives. Past celebrities include Robert Altman, Charlize Theron, Liv Ullman, William H. Macy, Alan Alda, Billy Crystal, Felicity Huffman, Woody Harrelson, Patrick Stewart, Shirley Jones, Chevy Chase and Stanley Tucci. Star guests are also honored at a variety of events where attendees have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the honorees.
Cá d'Zan, Sarasota
John and Mable Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion in Sarasota is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. Described as the last of the Gilded Age mansionsá to be built in America, Cá d'Zan (House of John) has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings. With its Venetian Gothic architecture, the mansion is a combination of the grandeur of Venice's Doge's Palace, combined with the gothic grace of Cá d'Oro, with Sarasota Bay serving as its Grand Canal.
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota
Built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, the museum today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters, including Rubens, van Dyck, Velýzquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The Museum and its collections continue to grow. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the museum an awe-inspiring retreat. It is a palace for treasures that emulates the grace and grandeur of the great galleries of Italy.
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
Celebrating over 25 years in Southwest Florida, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra is recognized as one of the top regional orchestras in the United States. This elite ensemble employs 49 full-time resident musicians and is critically acclaimed as South Florida's premier professional orchestra. In addition to regular classical, pops and chamber concerts, the orchestra has international recording credits, two PBS television specials, and has accompanied such renowned artists as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Kiri Te Kanawa, Denyce Graves and Frederica von Stade.
Naples Museum of Art
The Naples Museum of Art is a reflection of the unique spirit and generosity of Southwest Florida. The visual arts center includes a three-story, 30,000 sq. ft. museum with 15 galleries, spectacular chandeliers and a Persian ceiling by acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly, a resource room, and more. The museum is dedicated to displaying world-class painting, sculpture, drawing and other art forms, while providing educational programs and lectures.
The Ringling Circus Museum, Sarasota
The Circus Museum celebrates the American circus, its history and unique relationship to Sarasota. Established in 1948, the museum was the first in the county to document the rich history of the circus. View colossal parade and baggage wagons, sequined costumes, and a sideshow banner line that document the circus of the past and of today. See memorabilia and artifacts documenting the history of The Ringling family circus, John Ringling as the Circus King, and the classic movie, The Greatest Show on Earth, which was filmed in Sarasota.
The Sarasota Ballet
The Sarasota Ballet is a collaboration of many individuals working together to bring high quality artistic performances to the community. Established in 1990, the company has already received critical acclaim from the New York and European press, most recently for its performances of performances of Sir Frederick Ashton's The Two Pigeons and Les Patineurs. Recently, dance and theatre critic for the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay, wrote that "the Sarasota Ballet (in its 18th year, and directed since 2007 by Iain Webb) has become America's foremost exponent of Ashton ballets."
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Sarasota
Set along Sarasota's beautiful bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 35 years. The hall presents a broad spectrum of the world's finest performing artists, ranging from spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, and world-class symphony orchestras to a compelling mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance.