Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Announces 2026-2027 Season of Arts, Wellness, and Community Experiences
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation announces its 2026-2027 season, bringing nationally recognized performing artists and free experiences to the community through music, creative wellness, family arts programming, live performance, and more.
“This season reflects our belief that the arts belong to everyone and play a meaningful role in how we learn, connect, and thrive,” said Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, CEO of the Foundation. “From internationally recognized artists and researchers to hands-on experiences throughout our community, we’re creating more opportunities for people of all ages to experience the transformative power of the arts.”
Starting in September, community members can discover how the arts can enhance well-being through ArtSELF, the Foundation’s free series of creative self-care workshops. Offered throughout the year at locations across the community, ArtSELF provides the community with a space to relax, rejuvenate, and manage stress through creative expression.
Participants enjoying the music at a 2026 Sound & Story Immersive Concert event.
The Foundation will also host Sound & Story (Oct. 24, Dec. 11, and April 16) an immersive, multisensory concert experience pairing live music with a guided, hands-on visual arts activity. Participants are invited to listen, create, and explore the connections between sound, storytelling and visual expression.
On Jan. 25, the Foundation Speaker Series will host internationally recognized researcher Dr. Daisy Fancourt, author of The Art Cure. This thought-provoking discussion will explore how the arts influence human health and well-being. A professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, Dr. Fancourt is a leading researcher on the connections between arts and cultural engagement, social connection and health. Her groundbreaking work has helped demonstrate how participation in music, visual art, dance, theatre, and literature can contribute to mental, physical and social well-being across the lifespan and has informed governments, health systems, and the World Health Organization.
In February, SOLE Defined, an international touring percussive dance company joins the Foundation as an Artist in Residence from Feb. 8 through Feb. 21. Their public performances on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 will bring their signature blend of virtuosity, cultural memory, and audience engagement to Sarasota. The company transforms the body into a living rhythm engine, blending Tap Dance, Body Percussion, and Sand Dance into high-impact, participatory performance experiences that dissolve the line between concert dance, and immersive theater. Artistic Director Ryan Johnson has been praised as “one of the foremost percussive dance artists in the U.S.” (Dance Magazine). SOLE Defined creates evening-length works and touring productions that function as both performance and shared experience.
The 2026 Gala Chairs, Jim Melba and Melba Ramirez, with Foundation CEO, Tania Castroverde Moskalenko.
A highlight of the season will be the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala on March 13 at the St. Regis, featuring a Tony® and Grammy Award-winning performer. An exciting artist announcement will be shared soon!
The season continues with the return of acclaimed magician Dr. Kevin Spencer (March 29 – April 3) as a visiting Artist in Residence. An award-winning performing artist, educator, and researcher, Dr. Spencer has built an international career at the intersection of magic, education, and human development. During his residency, he will engage students, teachers, and educators, demonstrating how the wonder of illusion can become a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and connection.
Together, the 2026-2027 season advances Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to the arts and creating meaningful opportunities for people throughout the region to learn, connect, create, and thrive.
2026-2027 SEASON CALENDAR
Sat., Sept. 26, 2026: ArtSELF: Generations, 10–11:30 a.m., The Ringling
Sat., Oct. 10, 2026: ArtSELF: Generations, 10–11:30 a.m., The Ringling
Sat., Oct.10, 2026: ArtSELF: Becoming Picasso, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Tues., Oct. 13, 2026: ArtSELF: Free Your Mind, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Tues., Oct. 20, 2026: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library
Sat., Oct. 24, 2026: Sound and Story Concert, 5-7 p.m., Herrig Art Center
Fri., Nov.6, 2026: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 2–4 p.m., Island Branch Library
Tues., Nov.10, 2026: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Sat., Nov. 14, 2026: ArtSELF: Generations, 10–11:30 a.m., The Ringling
Fri., Dec. 11, 2026: Sound and Story Concert, 5–7 p.m., Art Center Sarasota
Sat., Dec. 12, 2026: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Tues., Jan. 5, 2027: ArtSELF: Becoming Picasso, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Mon., Jan. 25, 2027: Foundation Speaker Series: Daisy Fancourt, 4 p.m., Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Tues., Jan. 26, 2027: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library
Tues., Feb. 2, 2027: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Sat., Feb. 13, 2027: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 2:30–4 p.m., North Port Library
Sat., Feb. 13, 2027: ArtSELF: Breathe Move Create, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Sat., Feb. 20, 2027: Artist in Residence: SOLE Defined, 11 a.m., Selby Library
Sun., Feb. 21, 2027: Artist in Residence: Sundays at the Bay: SOLE Defined,4:30 – 5:30 p.m., The Bay Park
Tues., Feb. 23, 2027: ArtSELF: Free Your Mind, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library
Tues., Mar. 2, 2027: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Sat., Mar. 13, 2027: Annual Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala, 6 p.m., St. Regis Longboat Key
Sat., Mar. 20, 2027: ArtSELF: Free Your Mind, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Tues., Mar. 23, 2027: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library
Sat., Apr. 3, 2027: Artist in Residence: Dr. Kevin Spencer, 2 p.m., Harvest House Learning Center
Tues., Apr. 6, 2027: ArtSELF: Free Your Mind, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Sat., Apr.10, 2027: ArtSELF: Becoming Picasso, 2:30–4 p.m., North Port Library
Sat., Apr. 10, 2027: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Fri., Apr. 16, 2027: Sound and Story Concert, 5–7 p.m., Herrig Art Center
Tues., Apr.27, 2027: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library
Tues., May 4, 2027: ArtSELF: Free Your Mind, 5:30–7 p.m., Selby Library
Sat., May 8, 2027: ArtSELF: Music for Healing, 2:30–4 p.m., North Port Library
Sat., May 8, 2027: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 2:30–4 p.m., The Ringling
Tues., May 25, 2027: ArtSELF: No Rules Art Journaling, 5:30–7 p.m., Braden River Library