If you were waiting for your sign that you should visit Ringling College of Art and Design—this is it!
CNN Travel’s ‘Best American Towns to Visit 2026’ list just named Sarasota as its number one destination. Why? Because it is so much more than just a beach town. Sarasota is a cultural mecca with Ringling College and the school’s Sarasota Art Museum as major contributors.
Ringling College has an impressive 95-year history and is home to 14 undergraduate creative degree programs, including two computer animation majors, 2D and 3D Character Animation, Game Art, Motion Design, Film, and Fine Arts. The academic programs are ranked among the best in the world, and students benefit from a diverse student culture set on a beautiful 60-acre, residential campus with state-of-the-art facilities designed for creatives.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is a hub for world-class modern and contemporary art. As a non-collecting museum, there is an ever-changing and endless stream of new and exciting exhibitions on display. Admission is free to Ringling College students, faculty, and staff.
