FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROJECT OVERVIEW & IMPACT

  • Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization and the City of Sarasota hosted a series of community workshops. Based on that feedback, they recommended a Master Plan to the City Commission. The Master Plan included the construction of a new Performing Arts Center located further from the water in the northeast part of the park site. The proposed plan was unanimously adopted by the City Commission in 2018.

    In 2022, the City appointed a Purple Ribbon Committee to advise on the future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. At their meeting on Wednesday, July 9 the City of Sarasota's Purple Ribbon Committee finalized their report for the City Commission. Their recommendation to the City is to protect the existing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and expedite the construction of the new climate resilient Performing Arts Center. The full report can be read here.

  • The vision for Sarasota Performing Arts Center is to celebrate community, culture, and nature. Our goals are to surprise and delight audiences, empower learners of every age, nurture artists, and create extraordinary, shared experiences. We aspire to break down barriers of access to the arts – to be an arts center for all.

     The Performing Arts Center will be:

    • A PUBLIC SQUARE for both casual visitors and patrons of the arts, offering welcoming public spaces and year-round programming.

    • A 21ST CENTURY HOME for arts and culture, designed to meet the expectations of contemporary audiences and attract the best performers in the world.

    • A LEGACY for future generations, designed to be adaptable, universally accessible, environmentally sustainable, and coastally resilient.

  • Based on initial projections, Sarasota Performing Arts Center is anticipated to generate almost $200 million in annual economic activity, 1,550 permanent jobs with $68 million in annual wages, and nearly 3,700 temporary jobs with $192 million in temporary wages during construction.

    These projections are based on an economic impact study completed by HR&A Advisors, a firm with over 40 years of experience advising on complex real estate & economic development projects in cities across the world.

  • The Total Project Cost (TPC) will be funded through a 50% contribution from private philanthropy and a 50% contribution from public funding sources. 

  • Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s future use will be determined by the City of Sarasota City Commission. The City will be informed by the Purple Ribbon Committee (PRC), a body convened by the City to make recommendations concerning the most viable and financially sustainable options for future use, purpose, lease, and/or operation. The work of the PRC is a parallel, but separate effort from the planning and design efforts for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

    At their meeting on Wednesday, July 9 the City of Sarasota's Purple Ribbon Committee finalized their report for the City Commission. As the City Commission considers the future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Foundation is prepared to support the outcome and remain a committed partner in shaping a vibrant future for the arts in our community.

USE & OPERATIONS

  • Yes! We aspire to welcome local arts organizations and community groups and are working with the City to design a new Performing Arts Center for all.

  • The Foundation team worked closely with AEA Consulting and a working group of local arts community leaders to develop a business plan for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center that is financially sustainable, programmatically vibrant, unique within the region, and forward looking – a Performing Arts Center for the 21st century!

PROJECT TEAM

  • Yes, there are Sarasota-based firms on the design team, including Sweet Sparkman and Associates (executive architect) and Kimley-Horn and Associates (civil, planning, and landscape architectural services).

DESIGN

  • The design process includes five phases: Concept Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. The project is currently in Concept Design.

  • Absolutely! A better patron experience is one of the project’s key goals including ample restrooms, center aisles, and better food and beverage offerings.

  • Yes, the Design Team and the Foundation are firmly committed to building a state-of-the-art facility that is both environmentally sustainable and resilient.

  • Yes, the vision for the project is to embody full accessibility for all audiences, guided by the principles of universal design.

    Every aspect of the building, from front-of-house to back-of-house spaces, will be thoughtfully designed to be fully accessible to individuals with varying physical, social, and neurological needs. In surpassing ADA standards, Sarasota Performing Arts Center will ensure an environment that is not only compliant but goes above and beyond, fostering a comfortable, safe, and inviting atmosphere for all who engage with it.

PARKING & MOBILITY

  • The City of Sarasota, The Foundation, The Bay, and other stakeholders are collaborating to develop a parking and mobility strategy that ensures convenient access to ample parking and ensure visitors have a quality experience.

    The City and the Bay Park Conservancy previously commissioned two parking studies to evaluate parking demand at buildout of the park and new performing arts center. The results recommend approximately 1,100-1,300 spaces. The team is also studying a pedestrian overpass to cross Tamiami Trail at 9th Street.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

HOW TO SUPPORT

  • Gifts to enable this once-in-a-lifetime initiative can be made through the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation here.