Board seeks resolution while continuing to explore opportunities for Sarasota's cultural future
After years of planning and good-faith collaboration, the Board of Directors for the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has initiated the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process outlined in its 2022 Public-Private Partnership Agreement with the City of Sarasota for the proposed new Performing Arts Center.
The decision follows extensive efforts to address amendments proposed by the City to the existing partnership agreement and establish a clear, fiscally sound path forward for the project. Despite these efforts, the Foundation and the City have been unable to reach agreement on fundamental terms involving the handling of donor funds and operations for the Performing Arts Center, leaving the Foundation without the clarity and assurances necessary to responsibly advance the project.
The dispute resolution process, established within the City and Foundation’s 2022 agreement, provides a formal framework for addressing unresolved issues and determining appropriate next steps, which could include termination of the existing partnership agreement.
The project began with an ambitious vision: to bring together public and private partners to create a world-class Performing Arts Center that would expand access to the arts, strengthen Sarasota's cultural identity, and serve the community for generations to come. Working alongside the City of Sarasota and numerous community partners, the Foundation has invested substantial time, expertise, and resources to advance that vision.
The Foundation has made significant progress in building philanthropic support for the project, reporting $50 million in private gifts and pledges this past spring, in advance of launching a formal capital campaign. This early commitment reflects the extraordinary generosity of Sarasota's philanthropic community and its confidence in the vision for a new Performing Arts Center.
Major philanthropic gifts require certainty about a project's scope, financial responsibilities, and governance. Donors expressed a willingness to make significant investments in the project but reasonably sought a formal agreement defining the roles and responsibilities of project partners. Without those commitments in place, continuing to invest philanthropic resources in the current partnership is not responsible stewardship.
“Sarasota has never been a community that settles for what is possible today when we can imagine what is possible tomorrow,” said Drayton Saunders and Dr. Jenne Britell, co-chairs of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, in a joint statement. “The vision for a new Performing Arts Center has brought together philanthropists, artists, educators, and residents who believe deeply in the power of the arts. While the path forward may look different than what we originally envisioned, our passion for ensuring Sarasota's cultural future is unchanged. We owe it to this community to explore every responsible opportunity to bring that vision to life.”
The Board recognizes that this is a disappointing development for the many individuals and organizations who have worked to bring this vision to life. The Foundation remains grateful to the donors, civic leaders, artists, architects, arts organizations, educators, residents, and partners who have continued to contribute their time, talent, passion, and resources throughout the process.
While the future of the existing partnership remains unresolved, the Foundation's vision for a new Performing Arts Center has not changed. The Board is evaluating whether a viable opportunity may exist to advance a Performing Arts Center through a different structure, including potential independent development. No decisions have been made regarding a future location, funding structure, or timeline.
Meanwhile, the Foundation remains committed to investing in arts education, expanding access to meaningful cultural experiences, and strengthening the creative vitality of our region. Sarasota has long been a cultural leader in the State, and that proud tradition will continue.
We look forward to the next chapter for the Foundation and our community.