SARASOTA, Fla., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ringling School of Art and Design
and the Sarasota Museum of Art [SMOA] today announced the merger of their two
organizations, according to Ringling School President Dr. Larry R. Thompson.
The new partnership was approved Thursday, October 20, by Ringling School's
Board of Trustees and will position SMOA as a division within the College's
organizational structure. SMOA's 15-member Board of Directors will become an
advisory board to the President.
SMOA and Ringling School first joined forces a year ago to propose a
creative reuse of the historic Sarasota High School into the "Visual Arts
Education Center." Their proposal won unanimous approval from the Sarasota
County School Board and the team was awarded the opportunity to move forward
with plans to renovate and eventually occupy the currently vacant 1926
Collegiate Gothic-style building. Plans call for restoration of the building's
facade to its original design, and re-adaptation of the interior spaces to
house the Museum on the first floor with the second and third floors reserved
for Ringling School classroom and studio space.
"We see this new merger as a win-win for the greater Sarasota community,
the region, the State and even the nation," stated Thompson. "The
establishment of this partnership furthers our institutional mission, which
focuses on transformational and innovative arts education. This collaboration
provides an opportunity for this community to see exhibitions of the highest
quality contemporary and modern art while also providing a venue for the
education about, and creation of, such art. This entire project enhances
greater Sarasota's already rich cultural mosaic, while preserving one of the
most beloved and well-known landmarks in Sarasota." Thompson explained.
SMOA President Wendy Surkis reiterated the importance of joining forces
and the enormous value it will create for the community. "The SMOA Board of
Directors is inspired and excited by the potential of this relationship.
Ringling School is our ideal partner -- providing an extensive infrastructure
and depth of resources along with a powerful national and international
reputation," she said.
"By joining forces with Ringling School, we can do a tremendous job in
making sense of a complex visual world through exhibitions and education
programs. Being associated with the best and brightest in contemporary visual
arts education will enable us to develop extremely significant offerings for
the community. It's a win-win without question," Surkis continued.
John Belle, noted architect and driving force behind the incredible
renovation of Ellis Island from a dilapidated eyesore to the extraordinary
National Museum of Immigration, visited Sarasota last May to offer the SMOA
Board of Directors and Ringling School Board of Trustees words of
encouragement and wisdom. At a luncheon for project supporters, Belle shared
his insight on the project. "It's not going to be easy -- but you'll be
leaving a legacy for the community. You need to take the risk and do it," he
emphasized.
Together, Thompson and Surkis agree that when the project is completed,
Sarasota and the contemporary visual art world will have a new home that will
benefit generations of citizens and students alike. They both recognize what
an exciting time it is. To accomplish the mission, it will require widespread
community support and effort. They are confident the community will make this
vision a reality.
ABOUT RINGLING SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
Ringling School of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, fully
accredited college offering the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree [BFA] in six
disciplines: Computer Animation, Fine Arts, Graphic & Interactive
Communication, Illustration, Interior Design and Photography & Digital
Imaging. Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the picturesque 35-acre campus
includes 69 buildings, and enrolls nearly 1,100 students from 46 states and 28
foreign countries -- half of whom reside on the pedestrian-friendly
residential campus. During the past 15-20 years, Ringling School has evolved
into one of the most prestigious colleges of art and design in the United
States, alongside the Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute, Parsons
School of Design, and the Art Institute of Chicago. A member of the
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design [AICAD
http://www.aicad.org], the College is recognized as being among the best and
most innovative visual arts colleges in the United States as well as a leader
in the use of technology in the arts. With a 2:1 computer to student ratio,
Ringling School's computing infrastructure rivals even that of Massachusetts
Institute of Technology [MIT].
With the addition of the Sarasota Museum of Art at the Visual Arts
Education Center, the School will broaden its reach, providing members of the
public tremendous exposure to significant contemporary art unheard of in a
community the size of Sarasota. In addition, the College will enhance its
facilities portfolio by 60,000 square feet.
Aside from the degree program, Ringling School offers a number of
opportunities for the community to become involved with the School, through
its professional art exhibitions at Selby Gallery, community art programs and
workshops coordinated by its Office of Continuing Studies and Special
Programs, and volunteer opportunities with the Office of Development and
Alumni Relations.
ABOUT SARASOTA MUSEUM OF ART
The Sarasota Museum of Art was initiated by 13 civic-minded Sarasotans,
united in their belief in the need for a museum focusing on modern and
contemporary art. During the early planning stages, the board engaged
professional consultants to advise on the physical, financial and artistic
goals that needed to be taken into consideration. Armed with this preliminary
information, the group held the first in a series of community meetings in the
first quarter of 2004 to present their vision and gauge interest in the
project. Based on the enthusiastic response from the community, including a
challenge grant of $100k, donations of more than $200,000 in seed money were
secured in a month.
Early thinking had anticipated that SMOA would be an independent
organization in a stand-alone facility. However, as planning proceeded, the
Board began to consider the advantages of partnering with an established and
prestigious community leader. The availability of the historic Sarasota High
School created an opportunity to explore that potential with Ringling School
of Art and Design. In September 2004, Ringling School and SMOA submitted a
joint proposal to the Sarasota County School Board for the adaptive re-use of
the high school. The plan to create a new Visual Arts Education Center was
unanimously chosen by the School Board on October 19, 2004.
During 2005, both organizations focused on planning for the proposed
renovation and operation of the museum and the framework for a potential
SMOA/Ringling School partnership. All of this came together on October 20,
2005 when the Ringling School Board of Trustees approved the merger of SMOA
with Ringling School to create SMOA as a special division of the School.
MEDIA CONTACTS
RINGLING SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN SARASOTA MUSEUM OF ART [SMOA]
Christine Meeker Lange Wendy G. Surkis
Director of Marketing & Communications President
941.302.2769 941.309.4729
clange@ringling.edu wendysurkis@comcast.net
SOURCE Ringling School of Art and Design
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Related links:
http://www.aicad.org
CONTACT:
Christine Meeker Lange, Director of Marketing
& Communications, +1-941-302-2769, or clange@ringling.edu, of
Ringling School of Art and Design; or Wendy G. Surkis, President,
+1-941-309-4729, wendysurkis@comcast.net, of Sarasota Museum of
Art
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