• The Magic of Kevin Spencer | April 26 | 1:00 & 3:30 PM | USFSM’s Selby Auditorium

    The Magic of Kevin Spencer is a performance for people of all ages and abilities. It features award-winning magician Kevin Spencer in a fun-filled show that combines storytelling, stage magic, and audience participation. This sensory-inclusive performance is designed to create an experience that is welcoming to all audiences including families with individuals with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities that create sensory sensitivities. This is a show the entire family will enjoy! 

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  • ArtSELF- Art for Wellness Series

    Don't miss our Arts Wellness Workshops, designed to enhance community well-being through the power of the arts. This FREE series of one-hour workshops provides a much-needed space to relax, rejuvenate, and manage stress, all while exploring creative self-care practices.

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  • Children reading books together during an outdoor educational activity, promoting early literacy and community engagement in a fun, inclusive environment.

    Mr. Stevey & Friends: Building Community | Saturday, May 3 | 11:00 AM

    Mr. Stevey & Friends is a free community program geared towards pre-school and elementary school aged children and their families to engage in mindfulness activities and create art in all its various forms!

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  • Overhead view of Sarasota Bay showing a rendering of the new Performing Arts Center and surrounding landscape with boats, foliage and beach

    Economic Impact Study: A New Performing Arts Center Will Generate $194 Million in Annual Economic Impact

    Prepared for the Foundation by HR&A Advisors, one of the leading real estate and economic development firms in the country, the study forecasts a significant boost to the Sarasota region’s economic landscape, projecting over $194 million in annual economic activity.

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A GATEWAY TO CONNECT

COMMUNITY

AND CULTURE.

In 2018, the Sarasota City Commission approved the Bayfront master plan with a new performing arts center at the heart of the Bay Park that will become the nexus of performing arts in our region for generations to come.

We’re partnering with the city of Sarasota and the Bay Park Conservancy to bring an exciting new dream to life — a fully accessible campus built to nurture excellence in artists, inspire wonder in audiences, and spark curiosity in learners!

Aerial rendering of the future Sarasota Performing Arts Center, showcasing waterfront location and planned green spaces for community gatherings and cultural events.

A PREEMINENT DESTINATION

FOR ARTS

IN THE NATION

Throughout the creation and development of the City of Sarasota’s master plan for the Sarasota Bayfront, there was one vision that remained steadfast: to deliver a cultural and economic legacy that serves future generations and represents the wishes and desires of our community based on direct engagement, feedback and insight.

News & Press
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala Raises over $1 Million while Recognizing Local Champions of the Arts 
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala Raises over $1 Million while Recognizing Local Champions of the Arts 

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s 23rd annual Gala raised over $1 million to support arts education, community programs, and the future Sarasota Performing Arts Center!

Held on March 21, this unforgettable evening brought together 255 guests for a Parisian-inspired celebration along Sarasota Bay. The night honored visionary supporters like Paul Seed, recognized outstanding arts educators from across four counties, and featured a captivating performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical—plus a special appearance by Broadway’s Derek Klena.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, this event will have a lasting impact on students, educators, and the arts in Sarasota and beyond.

Magician Kevin Spencer, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Artist in Residence, to Present Free Sensory-Inclusive Performance
Magician Kevin Spencer, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Artist in Residence, to Present Free Sensory-Inclusive Performance

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation welcomes Kevin Spencer, internationally acclaimed magician and educator, as its newest Artist in Residence beginning April 21, 2025. His residency will conclude with a free sensory-inclusive performance—The Magic of Kevin Spencer—on Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at Selby Auditorium, USF Sarasota-Manatee. Designed for all audiences, including individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities, the performance blends storytelling, illusion, and interactive magic.

Kelly Addington Named Chief Development Officer of Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
Kelly Addington Named Chief Development Officer of Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is proud to welcome Kelly Addington as its new Chief Development Officer. A seasoned philanthropy leader with more than 20 years of experience, Addington will lead the Foundation’s capital campaign to support the creation of a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center and expand arts education initiatives. Previously with the University of South Florida Foundation, she helped secure $700 million in fundraising efforts. Her expertise in strategic development and passion for the arts will help drive transformational impact for Sarasota’s cultural future.