Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall sustained significant water intrusion, with some areas experiencing up to 4 feet of storm surge, as a result of Hurricane Milton. The orchestra pit, kitchen, dressing rooms, and production offices have all experience flooding. The electrical wiring was also impacted by the water intrusion and the roof sustained damage, which is currently being patched. The docks, sidewalks, and surrounding areas have also been impacted by the storm. 

At this time, all performances through December 2024 will be canceled. The hall anticipates reopening Jan. 1, 2025.  Ticket buyers with tickets to shows between October and December will be refunded to the original point of purchase.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Mote announced today that its City Island and Anna Maria outposts, which were already in recovery from Hurricane Helene, experienced further impacts from Hurricane Milton. The City of Sarasota announced over the weekend that City Island will be closed "for the foreseeable future," and Mote Marine officials confirmed that its laboratory and aquarium there, as well as its Science and Education Outreach Center at the Anna Maria Pier, which was also heavily damaged, will be closed until further notice. The Construction on Mote's new Science and Education Aquarium will resume this week.

The Mote team also confirmed the deaths of two river otters, despite medical intervention, due to the effects of back-to-back storms and the stress of relocation. However, officials said, the Mote team was able to successfully relocate two manatees, endangered sea turtles, alligators and birds safely to one of its partner facilities. 

The Ringling

After sustaining damage to Ca' d'Zan during Hurricane Helene, Ringling officials said the mansion suffered very little damage—and, in particular, no damage to its glass façade—during Milton. However, the Historic Circus Museum experienced roof damage— repair is under way; but it will be closed for several weeks. The Museum of Art and Tibbals Learning Center collections are safe and the museums are open as of Monday, Oct. 14. Admission for the public is free until Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The biggest impact of the storm, Ringling leadership said, was to the museum's grounds—several trees were lost and there was damage to the campus' beloved banyan trees. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Selby Gardens president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki announced that the gardens will take a phased approach to reopening this week. The Green Orchid restaurant will reopen for normal hours on Tuesday, Oct. 15, as will other newly built areas of Phase One of the gardens' Master Plan and the Museum of Botany and the Arts in Payne Mansion. The Tropical Conservatory will reopen on Thursday, Oct. 17, as will Purple, the 2024 Orchid Show. The rest of the gardens will reopen as each area is cleared and deemed safe for visitors.

At the Historic Spanish Point campus, the gardens' "Lights at Spooky Point" event has been canceled, and those who purchased tickets can request a refund or donate tickets to the gardens' hurricane recovery fund by emailing [email protected]. The Patti Smith: A Book of Days exhibition will proceed as planned with a members' preview on Friday, Nov. 8, and the public opening on Saturday, Nov. 9. As with the downtown campus, the Selby team will take a phased approach on reopening the rest of the campus based on cleaning and safety. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat

Because Manasota Key is south of where Milton’s eye passed, the island experienced storm surge of 8 feet to 12 feet, exceeding that of Hurricane Helene, and the island suffered unprecedented damage. Hermitage CEO Andy Sandberg said in a release that Hermitage is covered in sand and experienced water intrusion, and estimates that the organization incurred upwards of a million dollars in damage due to the storms.

While the Manasota Key campus is currently inoperable, Sandberg adds that the team is exploring ways to move ahead with select October programs, with alternative housing arrangements. Most November programs will need to be canceled or rescheduled, including the Artful Lobster fall benefit on Nov. 9 (Sandberg says a new location for that will be announced soon).

Venice Theatre

Despite ongoing construction on the Jervey Theatre due to damage by Hurricane Ian in 2022, Venice Theatre officials said that its other buildings were safe. The theater, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, reopened on Oct. 12 for performances of The Torch-Bearers and Agnes of God. 

Sarasota Art Museum

Sarasota Art Museum will reopen Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024, with free admission through Sunday, Oct. 20, in order to provide an air-conditioned place to charge devices and use free WiFi for the community. The museum will also host free family art-making activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and offer free coffee, water, and a warm cup of soup (while supplies last) at its restaurant.