A Vision for Sarasota Performing Arts Center: Take the Survey

A Vision for Sarasota Performing Arts Center: Take the Survey

The Van Wezel Foundation wants to hear from you! Plans are moving forward with the City of Sarasota’s Bayfront Master Plan to convert 53 acres along the bay into an accessible park with a new performing arts center at the heart of it. The Foundation, along with the city and the project’s long list of sponsors, envision a center for education and lifelong learning, and a preeminent destination for tourism and hospitality. The plan includes a 230,000 sq. ft. multi-use space, a 2,250 main stage theatre, an intimate 400-seat venue, 10,000 sq. ft. of educational space, and multiple outdoor public performance spaces. 

As the Van Wezel Foundation enters a new phase of planning for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center, they are looking to the community for input – they want to hear from local residents, students, and visitors about their hopes, attitudes, perceptions, and expectations for this new civic asset. 

Now through November 30, you can share your thoughts and ideas by participating in a survey developed and fielded by national research firm, Alexander Babbage. The survey is completely anonymous and takes about 8-10 minutes to complete, and those who participate will be eligible to win one of eight $100 gift cards. 

Take the Survey

“With input from regional communities, we have a tremendous opportunity to make the Sarasota Performing Arts Center a place for ideas, a place for the arts, a place for you,” said Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of the Foundation. “The new performing arts center will serve as an iconic civic asset that meets the needs of everyone living in and visiting the entire Gulf Coast region.”

Alexander Babbage work with arts and culture organizations and large community markets throughout the country, including The Whitney Museum, Hudson Yards NY, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Art Museum, Lyric Opera Chicago, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Oakland Museum CA, to name a few.

The mission of the Van Wezel Foundation is to create a world-class performing arts center that enriches the community, supports arts education and inspires young minds. For more than 30 years, the Van Wezel Foundation has partnered with the city of Sarasota to make a lasting impact throughout our region. It’s this legacy of excellence that drives the Foundation forward as we look to create a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center and reimagine the way the performing arts contribute to enhance the quality of life for our community. 

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Contact:

941-330-7436

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