The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, once quietly working behind the scenes, is now stepping into the spotlight. With a renewed vision and new leadership, the Arts Alliance is ready to claim a prominent role in our arts and cultural community.

This past spring, the Arts Alliance welcomed Brian Hersh as its new CEO. Many in Sarasota County may already be familiar with Hersh, who has dedicated over a decade to arts education in the Sarasota County School District. A musician himself, Hersh brings a deep passion for the arts and a vision to propel the Arts Alliance into a new era. His leadership is set to solidify the organization as the leading voice and resource for arts and culture throughout Sarasota County.

As the designated Local Arts Agency (LAA) for Sarasota County, the Arts Alliance fully embraces its role as the chief advocate for the arts in Sarasota County. According to Americans for the Arts, Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) play a pivotal role in promoting, supporting, and developing the arts at the local level, ensuring a vibrant and vital presence for the arts in communities across the nation.

A tangible testament to their commitment is the annual release of "Arts & Culture: A Guide to Florida's Cultural Coast." This guide serves not only as an informative resource but also as a wellspring of inspiration for the 2023-2024 season. This valuable guide is made possible in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.

In October, the Arts Alliance took a significant step forward by hosting an event at the Sarasota Opera House, where they unveiled the findings of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study conducted by Americans for the Arts. AEP6 is an essential economic and social impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts and culture industry. The Arts Alliance was instrumental in facilitating this groundbreaking study in Sarasota County. The full report for Sarasota County, as well as the national results, can now be accessed on their website at SarasotaArts.org/aep6-results.

In the new year, the Arts Alliance is set to undergo a transformation in the services it provides. Their renewed focus will revolve around three key areas: championing the arts' economic impact throughout Sarasota County, promoting health and wellness initiatives through the arts for our local artists and community, and advancing arts education in our schools while expanding accessibility to arts and culture.

As a community-driven entity, the Arts Alliance relies on your vital support, especially in times of growth and transformation. They offer membership options for a wide range of entities, including organizations, businesses, artists, and individuals. By becoming a member, you actively contribute to sustaining the ongoing pursuit of artistic excellence throughout the region.

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is not only stepping out from behind the curtain but also stepping into a new era of leadership and influence in our community. With dedicated leadership, a commitment to economic impact, health and wellness, education, and a talented ensemble, the Arts Alliance is on a mission to ensure that Sarasota County remains the cultural gem of Florida's Cultural Coast for years to come.

For more information about the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, please visit their website: SarasotaArts.org.