Education Matters | Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

Editor's Note: SCENE Magazine originally featured this story in its February edition.

Sarasota is known as Florida's Cultural Coast, boasting a vibrant array of galleries, museums, live performances, and more. Since 1986, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County has served as the voice of the arts sector, not only bringing the community together to indulge in the local arts-powered economy but also advocating for its future, which starts in our classrooms.

The Sarasota County Arts Education Partnership (SCAEP), formerly known as the Arts Education Task Force, unites art educators from the area's arts and cultural organizations, Sarasota County Schools staff, and community members passionate about arts education. This group monitors the health of arts programs in local schools. Amid drastic budget cuts to arts education in the early 1990s, this long-standing committee championed the arts as an essential part of a well-rounded education. Following the success of a major campaign in the 1995-1996 academic year, art instruction was restored in Sarasota County schools and continues to evolve.

The committee has been a strong advocate for the mileage referendum, which enables schools to fund direct arts instruction by full-time, professional educators. Though this funding has been in place since 2002, SCAEP's tireless advocacy contributed to the most recent referendum passing with 84% of the vote, the widest margin in Florida. This funding has allowed the school district to hire and retain certified educators, invest in cutting-edge technology, and continue strengthening arts programs.

SCAEP meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month and are open to the public. These gatherings, hosted by local arts organizations such as The Ringling and The Sarasota Ballet, provide a space for educators and the community to network and share insights. Agendas often include updates from The Alliance and the school district, while host organizations highlight their work in schools and upcoming initiatives. These meetings also serve as professional learning opportunities, expanding skill sets and reinforcing that arts education extends beyond the classroom. To learn more or subscribe to the SCAEP newsletter, contact education@sarasotaarts.org.

While classroom education lays the foundation for many students, experiential learning opportunities expand their knowledge and engagement. EdExploreSRQ, a web-based platform, connects teachers with local experiences for students—from museum visits to in-classroom workshops—leveraging Sarasota's rich arts, culture, and science resources. Offerings from local nonprofits and individual teaching artists are reviewed and approved by school district staff to ensure alignment with educational standards. The Alliance encourages educators to explore this resource, aiming for every student to experience at least one Exploration per year.

Among the many experiences available through EdExploreSRQ is a school tour of Patriot Plaza, generously provided by The Patterson Foundation and located within Sarasota National Cemetery. Private tours are managed by The Alliance and led by an incredible roster of guides, many of whom are veterans. Educational visits cater to Grades 4-12, offering students a unique opportunity to learn about Civics, American History, Visual Arts, and Language Arts through docent-led tours of the 2,800-seat amphitheater and its powerful artworks, all aligned with Florida educational standards.

To further expand access, The Patterson Foundation has partnered with The Collaboratory at Ringling College of Art and Design to create a virtual Patriot Plaza experience for Florida middle school civics classes and the public.

The EdExploreSRQ initiative is made possible through a partnership between the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Patterson Foundation, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Science and Environmental Council, and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Brian Hersh, CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County since June 2023, previously served as Program Director of Any Given Child Sarasota and is excited to bring that initiative to The Alliance. Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child is a national effort aimed at providing equitable access to arts education for all students.

In partnership with The Kennedy Center, The Alliance taps into a national network of educators to implement best practices in Sarasota County Schools. Much like SCAEP, Any Given Child collaborates with policymakers and leaders to shape arts education strategies in the district.

"Beyond the scope of education, we know that art enhances quality of life in our community. We want to ensure that students have those same opportunities and experience a great quality of life in school. The arts keep students engaged, brighten their days, and improve their performance in other academic areas," says Hersh. "Arts aren't just special; they're essential."

As the Sarasota area continues to grow in population, it is imperative to support the ecosystem of the arts to keep it accessible for our students and the community. Getting involved can be as simple as a donation to an arts organization like The Alliance, subscribing to their ARTbeat newsletter for the latest updates and information, or volunteering for one of the many experiential learning opportunities available in the area. The most important way to support artists, both inside the classroom and beyond, is to attend where you can, and share the experience with others.

For more information on the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, visit www.sarasotaarts.org.