Learn About, See and Be the Circus in Sarasota County

Learn About the Circus and History of The Ringling

• The Ringling campus was created to preserve the legacy of John and Mable Ringling by educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art in the Ringling Art Museum; Cà d'Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the original Asolo Theater, now called the Historic Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens, and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay. www.ringling.org
• Located on The Ringling campus, The Ringling Circus Museum features a 44,000-piece Howard Bros. Circus Model and the Greatest Show on Earth Mural celebrating the entertainment that has delighted packed houses in great cities and small towns across America for generations.
• The Cà d'Zan, modeled in the Venetian-Gothic style, was the winter home of John and Mable Ringling. The home was built in 1926 at a cost of $1.5 million.
• After John's death in 1936, the mansion was closed until 1946, when it was opened to the public, and then closed again from 1999 to 2002 for restoration. 

• The Ringling Art Museum is a state museum of Florida and home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. 

   

See the Circus

• The Circus Arts Conservatory is the umbrella organization for Circus Sarasota, Sailor Circus Academy, and Laughter Unlimited. World-renowned circus performers Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs created the organization in 1997 as an educational organization dedicated to elevating the performance, education, and community outreach of the circus arts. 
• Circus Sarasota presents an annual performance each winter under a one-ring European-style big top. 
• The Sailor Circus Academy, America's oldest youth circus, is an after-school training program for students aged 8-18 who put on two annual performances each year, once in the winter and once in the spring. 
• Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a rescue center not only for lions and tigers but for bears, monkeys and birds and was founded by Kay Rosaire, a member of another one of Sarasota County's famous circus families.
• Take an open-air trolley tour to explore circus landmarks with Discover Sarasota's Circus Secrets of Sarasota, including Circus City USA’s secret places and charming stories!

• The Circus Ring of Fame, located on the iconic St. Armands Circle, pays tribute to past and present circus legends. 

   

Be the Circus

• Started in 1949, Sailor Circus Academy teaches children grades four through twelve the skills needed to be real circus performers. 
• The Circus Arts Conservatory offers weekly drop-in classes for children five and up. Adult classes are also available. 
• Tito Gaona's Flying Trapeze Academy & Flying Fantasy Circus, featured in the 2015 film Flight Fantastic, sports classes and parties for adults and children on the island side of Venice's Circus Bridge.