Avant-Garde
Ringling College of Art and Design’s annual fundraiser Avant-Garde is committed to raising funds for student scholarships. Scholarships bridge the gap between the cost of a college education and the resources of the college student. Education and success go hand in hand. But what if a deserving student misses the opportunity to become a successful entrepreneur, filmmaker, teacher, or artist due to financial constraints?
Scholarships empower students to pursue their dreams, motivate them to aim high, encourage them to pay it forward, and prepare them for a lifetime of achievement. More than 90% of Ringling College students qualify for need and merit-based support, and most could not attend without scholarship assistance.
All of the proceeds from Ringling College’s annual Golf Tournament and Avant-Garde celebrations support student scholarships at Ringling College. Together, we can continue to transform the lives of these aspiring artists and designers.
2024 Gala
Details for the 2024 Avant-Garde will be posted here as soon as they become available.
As Ringling College’s signature annual costume gala, Avant-Garde entertains partygoers with dinner, dancing, and an extravaganza of exciting student work. All proceeds directly impact Ringling College students by providing scholarship support.
Contact
Office for Advancement
2700 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL, 34234
941-309-4733
941-359-7662 fax
giving@ringling.edu
As Ringling College’s signature annual costume gala, Avant-Garde entertains partygoers with dinner, dancing, and an extravaganza of exciting student work. All proceeds directly impact Ringling College students by providing scholarship support.
2023 Gala
The 2023 Avant-Garde event on Saturday, March 18, was one of our most successful galas to date. The Ringling College campus was transformed into a Boogie Wonderland, back to a time when art didn’t just reflect but also changed the world. Guests came dressed in their 70s threads and enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. The 2023 event showcased students and their work across all majors and highlighted the INDEX program (Industry Experience at Ringling College). The event was chaired by Dona Scott, Rosa Stanfield, and Jackie Tilton.
2023 Photo Gallery
Video: Crossing the Finish Line
Video: 2023 Scholarship Winners
Video: Scholarship Finalists
As Ringling College’s signature annual costume gala, Avant-Garde entertains partygoers with dinner, dancing, and an extravaganza of exciting student work. All proceeds directly impact Ringling College students by providing scholarship support.
2022 Gala
The 2022 Avant-Garde event was a wonderful evening that we will never forget. Most importantly, your generosity helped provide impactful scholarships to Ringling College students.
Video
Presenting Sponsors
Carolyn & Maurice Cunniffe
Champions
Edward D. & Anna Mitchell Family Foundation
Susan Palmer and Diane & Robert Roskamp
Underwriters
Ginny & Ravi Akhoury
Gloria & Ali Bahaj
Joy Bebry & Jeffrey Katz
Sondra & Gerald Biller
Robert & Anne Essner
Shirley and David B Sykes Family Foundation, Inc., Diane & Terry Gans
Sherry & Tom Koski
Jean Martin
Drs. Gail & Joel Morganroth
Pamela & Tom Reilly
Dona & Sam Scott
Jackie & Glenn Tilton
Leaders
APG
Beverly & Robert Bartner
Chartwells Higher Education
Custodial Maintenance
Sharon & Herman Frankel
Ann & Larry Garberding
Marcy & Michael Klein
Elenor Maxheim
Mary Ann & John Meyer
Janet & George L. Miles, Jr.
Rosemary & Lou Oberndorf
The Perlman Family Foundation, Richard Perlman & Ellen Hanson
Publix Super Markets Charities
Susan & Jim Travers
Benefactors
Peggy Allen & Steven Dixon
Pat & Robert Baer
Barbara Brizdle
Susan & Jim Buck
Jo Ann & Don Burhart
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Carol & Richard Kalikow
Kutya Major Foundation, Flora Major
Cornelia & Dick Matson
Isabel Norton
Brenda Patten & Steve Hutchinson
Milli Ricciardelli
Ringling College Library Association
Sam Samelson
Janet Schmidt
Eileen Scudder & Russ Zimmermann
Indu & Rajesh Soin
Kim & Mark Standish
Rosa L. & Willie M. Stanfield
Joann & Steve Stein
Judilee Sterne
Dale Strohl
Lois Stulberg
Charlotte & John Suhler
Janis & Skip Swan
Lois & Bernie Watson
Fellows
Peggy & Ken Abt
Lori & Devin Cahn
Marianne & Louis Cohen
Dr. Karen Craparo and Mr. Paul Thomson
Carole Crosby & Larry Wickless
Julie A. Harris
Bonnie & Michael Hartley
Nancy & Joseph Jacobson
Jeffrey Peterson
Leslie & Richard Rivera
Jackie & Angus Rogers
Rowles Family
Sarasota Estate Auction
Zelia & Martin Trueb