World AIDS Day has been recognized every Dec. 1 since 1988 as a way to improve people's understanding of HIV and AIDS. This year, CAN Community Health, a Sarasota nonprofit that helps those affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, is partnering with two local arts groups for World AIDS Day events.

The first will take place at the Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, and will include an installation by artist Félix González-Torres, a display of National AIDS Quilts and an evening program with AIDS activists and more. The evening program is free and open to the public. The second event will take place at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota, on Thursday, Dec. 2. CAN will be co-presenting a performance of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen at the theater that evening.