Sarasota Arts Online!

Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is hosting special online events to close The Suffragist Project: a two-year, city-wide artistic initiative recognizing the 100th anniversary of the women's right to vote in the United States. Throughout the month of August, FST will present free virtual events such as "Suffragist Saturdays" that will include a conversation with Jane Plitt, the first Executive Director for the National Organization for Women. On August 20, 2020—exactly 100 years since the ratification of the historic 19th Amendment—a virtual finale called Women Unite: A Centennial Celebration will include performances of historic speeches by artists from across the country and a sneak peek of a new documentary about The Suffragist Project.

The original schedule of this FST initiative included artistic, educational and cultural events from over 55 community organizations before many were postponed, canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19. Registration is required for these free events on the FST website.

Asolo Rep Engage

The Asolo Repertory Theatre created a free online platform called Asolo Rep Engage to continue entertaining audiences right in their homes! Enjoy content illuminating past and future works, the artists and administrators who make it happen, and art activities for at home creativity.

The Ringling

The state art museum of Florida is filled with awe-inspiring masterpieces from the property's former owner, circus magnate and philanthropist John Ringling and his wife, Mable. The Ringling offers tours of their former mansion, the Ca'd'Zan, antique and painting collections, and even their circus museum for free browsing in their online E-Musuem. The museum has revamped their digital collections with new activities, lessons, virtual tours and their popular Art Chats previously available in-person only on their new Museum From Home website.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

While you may have to wait to see a live show inside Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's (WBTT) brand new theater, you don't have to wait to see another one of those stellar performances thanks to WBBT Live! On Demand - a way to watch new shows right through the troupe's website.

New Sarasota Art Museum Exhibit

The brand new Sarasota Art Museum opened towards the end of 2019 as the region's first museum dedicated to contemporary art. While you wait to visit the stunning property (a transformed historic high school campus), the museum is making previews of its multiple installations available for free browsing on their website.

Learn & Play with the Circus Arts Conservatory

The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) has created CAC Connects - an extensive schedule of online classes for circus fans to try from home! CAC runs Sailor Circus—the longest-running youth circus in America—and regularly offers classes for anyone interested in trapeze, juggling and other skills. CAC also helps preserve Sarasota County's proud circus history, including its longtime role as winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. 

Sarasota Orchestra Video Vignettes

The Sarasota Orchestra created a growing collection of video messages, music, concert recordings and other special items to show connect with their audience through music that uplifts and inspires. Their Music Moves Us campaign is an online library of this feel-good content.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall—one of the largest providers of arts education in the destination—is committed to releasing new #ArtworksAnywhere videos each week to engage students and parents at home during this period of remote learning strategies. Using a model of "See Art, Create Art, Share Art," each video includes a project encouraging viewers to create art together like a drawing, story, poem, dance, song and more. Follow the Schooltime at the Van Wezel Facebook page for updates and the new YouTube Channel dedicated to these online activities.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance Virtual Studio Classes

Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) has launched a virtual version of their classes for aspiring performing artists to participate in streamed classes and bonus classes which to be archived for later viewing as well.  Two weeks of classes costs $30.

Key Chorale Come Together Choir

Now more people than ever can participate in choir rehearsals through Key Chorale's revamped YouTube channel.

Public Art Scavenger Hunt

No calls, scheduling or payment necessary for this tour of downtown Sarasota. The Arts Alliance of Sarasota County has a scavenger hunt of the city's massive public art collection, available for free on their website. The hunt is less than one mile of walking and a you can even get a prize for completing mailed to your home!