Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota will host an arts summit on May 21

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County announced that it will hold an arts summit on Wednesday, May 21, at the Sarasota Opera House.

“In a time of both uncertainty and possibility, this summit invites us to channel our shared commitment and reconnect with the creative pursuit that has always shaped our vibrant communities,” said Brian Hersh, CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County in a statement.

The keynote speaker of the ticketed event, titled "Perspective. Practice. Place," will be Deborah Rutter, the first female president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, who served from 2014-25.

Image courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

During her career, Rutter has championed artistic voices and collaborated with such creative luminaries as Renée Fleming, Jason Moran, Yo-Yo Ma, Francesca Zambello and Q-Tip, among others. 

"I so look forward to being with the many dynamic leaders who have made Sarasota County an artistic ‘mecca’ in its own right, and to the opportunity to share ideas, viewpoints and approaches to ensure that artists everywhere are able to thrive," said Rutter in a statement.

“Through dynamic conversations with local and national leaders, we’ll explore how the arts transform challenge into beauty, strengthen our collective spirit, and continue to enrich everyday life here in Sarasota County," Hersh said.

The summit will also include presentations by local arts leaders. Maria Schaedler-Luera, owner of Atomica Arts and co-executive director of Lifeline Productions, will look at how participating in art can spark connection. 

Architecture Sarasota President Morris "Marty" Hylton III will speak about how design and architecture can help communities adapt to and manage change.

Angelica Hull, director of grants and advocacy at the Arts and Cultural Alliance, will provide an in-depth look at arts funding, advocacy and the current cultural climate in Sarasota County.

Among the new challenges facing Sarasota's arts groups, which act as a magnet for tourism, are the elimination of Florida state arts grants for fiscal 2025, financial uncertainty in the wake of stock market volatility and the rollback of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, which can diminish representation and accessibility in the arts.

Following the summit from 1-4 p.m., an informal social hour will take place in the Opera House lobby from 4-5 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $52. For information, visit SarasotaOpera.org.