Art History and Appreciation

The Ringling is one of the preeminent arts institutions in the United States. Its unusually varied collections—art, circus, history, architecture, performance, gardens—reflect its unique origin story. At the heart of that story is circus impresario John Ringling and his wife Mable, and their shared desire to make Sarasota a world-class destination.

Sarasota Art Museum is a catalyst for appreciation and understanding of the art of our time. As a platform for education, exposure and experimentation, the Museum inspires new ideas and new ways of being through an endless rotation of transformative, relevant, and pioneering exhibitions and programs designed to elevate and empower all by cultivating discerning visual thinkers and ethical citizens.

Our seven on-campus galleries host one person, group, and thematic exhibitions that include locally, nationally, and internationally known individuals from diverse backgrounds and in diverse mediums.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Bishop interprets the region from the Pleistocene to the present. Highlights include fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest animal inhabitants, the Montague Tallant collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archeological artifacts, and the Environmental Hall focusing on Florida’s ecology and biodiversity in the Pine Uplands and Riverine Galleries. The Bishop also frequently rotates special art exhibitions.

As Art Center Sarasota reflects on a century of creativity, connection, and community, together we honor the lasting legacy behind us while forging an indelible mark on the future. The Art Center’s Centennial Season, beginning in fall 2025 and running through summer 2026, will feature the iconic Beaux Arts Ball, our inaugural Authors & Illustrators Book Fair, inspiring exhibitions, engaging classes, youth and family programs, and recurring, innovative art events. This milestone is a testament to the strength and passion of our incredible arts community. Visual arts continue to flourish in Sarasota, as do the artists who bring them to life.

Founded in 1937, Herrig Center for the Arts is located in downtown Bradenton at the intersection of arts and culture. Herrig Center for the Arts is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, five classrooms that hold over 3,000 students every year, a LiveArtFully gift shop, and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes. Herrig Center for the Arts has repeatedly been voted the best art gallery by the Herald Tribune and Bradenton Herald.

Provide cultural enrichment opportunities that inspire and engage our community to see, experience and create art. The Venice Art Center offers over 500 classes to adult and children’s classes annually, 12 unique visual art exhibitions which are free and open to the public, a one-of-a-kind artisan gift shop, a venue for special events and concerts, art library and an on-site cafe©. We support local artists by offering them many opportunities to express their creativity, sell their work and give them the platform to teach others. For over 65 years we have been an active advocate in the promotion of the arts in the community through citywide public arts projects, outreach, and collaboration with other organizations. VAC has focused on creating events and projects that enhance the community, support other nonprofits and make Venice a cultural destination. Our goal is to make art accessible and available to our community and to enhance the quality of the lives of those living in our area.

Since 1982, The Dalí Museum (St. Petersburg, Florida) has served as a hub for world-class art, community and connection. Set within an architecturally iconic building, the Museum invites visitors into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí. The Dalí continues to elevate the region’s cultural profile, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year through thought-provoking exhibitions, educational programs, community events and more. Student tickets are offered at a discounted rate.

The museum presents the historic voice of this St. Petersburg, Florida community from the perspective of local, regional, and national history, culture, and community. It is another demonstration of the commitment to revitalize the Midtown St. Petersburg area.​

The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The Museum is dedicated to teaching the members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. Student tickets are offered at a discounted rate.

Conveniently located in the heart of St. Petersburg, FL, Imagine Museum is a must-visit attraction for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Featuring a spectacular collection of contemporary glass art from around the world, experience the evolution glass art and the studio glass art movement. Student tickets are offered at a discounted rate.

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art provides experiences that inspire human connection and transformation through art depicting the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world. More than 400 premier works of art including sculpture, paintings and jewelry are on display in the museum’s 26,000 square feet of gallery space. The museum engages the community through programs and educational opportunities, for all ages, that bring our history to life and amplify voices that are not often at the forefront of mainstream western art. When The James Museum opened in April 2018 it became one of the newest additions to St. Petersburg’s thriving arts community. Student tickets are offered at a discounted rate.

Welcome to the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, where art comes to life! As a cultural hub in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the MFA offers a diverse collection of world-class art, immersive exhibitions, and inspiring programs for all ages. Whether you’re exploring ancient artifacts, modern masterpieces, or engaging with our vibrant community events, the MFA is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of art and its impact on our world. We invite you to experience the beauty, creativity, and history that make the MFA a cornerstone of the arts in the Tampa Bay region. Student tickets are offered at a discounted rate.