Who says summer is the off-season in Sarasota County? They clearly haven’t seen our events calendar lately! June is bursting with inspiring performances, powerful exhibitions, and vibrant community events. Here’s just a glimpse of what’s happening—check out even more at SarasotaArts.org: Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College (SAM) presents Lillian Blades: Through the Veil — on view now through October 26, 2025. An immersive, textural journey you won’t want to miss. @sarasotaartmuseum Sarasota Music Festival: Heirloom – Friday, June 20 at 7:30 PM. The Festival runs through June 21 with 14 concerts, open rehearsals, masterclasses, and more. @sarasotaorchestra Jesus Christ Superstar has been extended through June 28! Don’t miss Jesse Nager and the incredible cast in this rock-opera classic. (📸 Photo: Adrian VanStee) @asolorep Juneteenth Arts Festival by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe – June 22, 11AM–7PM. Celebrate Black excellence with local performers, artists, filmmakers, and a headlining concert by jazz saxophonist Dee Lucas. @westcoastblacktheatretroupe Hermitage Beach Series: Key Change: A Return to the Beach! – June 26 @ 6:30PM. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with Hermitage Fellows Daniel & Patrick Lazour and Mark Sonnenblick, bringing bold new musical theater works to life by the Gulf. @hermitageartistretreat SCD In-Studio Series: In the Round – June 6–July 25. Witness cutting-edge choreography from Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s summer intensive, featuring emerging talents from across the nation. @sarasotacontemporarydance 👉 Discover the full lineup and plan your cultural summer at SarasotaArts.org! #SarasotaCountyArts #SummerInSarasotaCounty #ArtIsEverywhere #SarasotaCountyEvents #SupportLocalArtists #FlCulturalCoast (fb)

We are filled with immense gratitude following the overwhelming success of “Perspective. Practice. Place.” – A Summit on Arts, Community, and Creative Leadership, held at the Sarasota Opera House on May 21. To all who attended—thank you. Your presence, energy, and commitment to the power of the arts made this gathering truly unforgettable. Together, we explored what it means to lead with creativity, to build resilience through culture, and to shape a more vibrant future for Sarasota County. A heartfelt thank you to our keynote speaker, Deborah F. Rutter, for sharing her deep wisdom, humor, and decades of experience leading the country’s most influential cultural institutions. Your insight was both grounding and galvanizing. We are also deeply grateful to our local presenters and the incredible performers who brought beauty and joy to the day: @sarasotacontemporarydance, Karim Manning and @upward_notes. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and The Ringling College Town Hall—thank you for believing in the power of dialogue, creativity, and community. As we reflect on this powerful afternoon, we are more inspired than ever to continue building connections, creating opportunities, and uplifting the voices that make Sarasota County a thriving arts and cultural destination. With deep appreciation, The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County (fb)