Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

What Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation does

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 1987 (originally as the Van Wezel Foundation, rebranded in 2023) that funds and delivers arts education, community arts, and wellness programs across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties in Florida. It serves approximately 40,000 students, educators, and families annually through a portfolio of free programs including Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap early-childhood residencies, Artist in Residence visits, ArtSELF arts-for-wellness workshops, Mr. Stevey & Friends family programming, and the Appleton Awards for educators, plus Schooltime Performances at the City of Sarasota-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, which collectively reached 17,000+ students from 109 schools in a recent season. The Foundation is the private-sector lead of a public-private partnership with the City of Sarasota and Bay Park Conservancy to build a new ~2,700-seat Sarasota Performing Arts Center designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, projected by HR&A Advisors to generate $194 million in annual economic activity and 1,550 permanent jobs once operational.

The Foundation's underlying technology is modest and operationally focused: a Squarespace-hosted public website, Eventbrite for program registration (e.g., ArtSELF workshops, Center Stage Conversations), a weekly email newsletter, and standard social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube). There is no proprietary technology, AI/ML, or developer platform described in the materials; the central "platform" is the network of contracted teaching artists, partner venues (Van Wezel Hall, USF Sarasota-Manatee, Harvest House, The Haven, Forty Carrots, The Bay Park, Selby Auditorium), and evidence-based curricula licensed through the Wolf Trap Institute.

Its business model is philanthropy-based rather than commercial: the Foundation generates revenue from individual donations and major gifts (anchored by a $10 million leadership contribution from Paul Seed), annual celebrity-attended galas ($1.4 million in 2026, $1.08 million in 2025), corporate and foundation grants (e.g., $350,000 from the Early Learning Coalition), tiered Friends Society memberships ($4,000 to $100,000+), and planned/legacy gifts. Programs are delivered free of charge; tiered membership benefits (concierge ticketing, VIP access, reserved parking, recognition) function as donor cultivation rather than transactional revenue. The Foundation reinvests roughly $922,486 in programmatic investment annually (FY2025) — $367,000 for Mission & Impact and $505,526 for arts education initiatives — supported by a small staff of approximately 20 led by CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, CFO/COO John Shumaker, and CDO Kelly Addington.

Name

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

Legal name

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

Website

https://performingartsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that delivers free arts education, wellness, and community programming to 40,000+ students and families annually across five Florida counties, while leading a public-private partnership to build a new 2,700-seat Renzo Piano-designed Performing Arts Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)

Keywords

• Arts education programs
• Performing arts foundation
• Community cultural programs
• Youth arts education
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Major Gifts: The foundation relies heavily on individual donations from supporters, including major gifts from philanthropists. The $10 million leadership contribution from Paul Seed exemplifies this revenue stream. Donations support general operations, program delivery, and the capital campaign for the new Performing Arts Center.
2. Annual Gala Events: Annual fundraising galas featuring celebrity performers serve as signature fundraising events. The 2026 gala raised nearly $1.4 million, the 2025 gala raised over $1 million, and previous galas have raised $1.3 million. These events combine entertainment with donor cultivation.
3. Friends Society Membership Program: A membership program with multiple tiers (Performer $4,000-$9,999, Playwright $10,000-$14,999, Director $15,000-$24,999, Producer $25,000-$99,999, Executive Producer $100,000+) providing benefits including concierge ticketing, VIP access, and recognition. This provides recurring revenue from committed supporters.
4. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations such as the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County ($350,000 for Mindful Recovery program). Corporate partnerships support specific programs and initiatives.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: The foundation encourages legacy gifts through wills, retirement plans, and planned-giving arrangements. The Appleton Awards are funded through a legacy gift from Mrs. Louise Appleton.
6. Public-Private Partnership Funding: As part of a public-private partnership with the City of Sarasota, the foundation contributes to and raises funds for the new Performing Arts Center project, which includes both private donations and public investment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is a nonprofit cultural organization that delivers performing arts education, community arts programming, and arts-based wellness initiatives to residents of Sarasota and surrounding Florida Gulf Coast communities. It runs named programs such as ArtSELF (Arts for Wellness Series), Artists in Residence, Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap, and Mr. Stevey & Friends, supports them through donations, memberships, sponsorships, and grants, and is developing a permanent Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

Product overview

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation offers a portfolio of community and educational programs centered around arts access and wellness. Core offerings include ArtSELF (Arts for Wellness workshops), the Artists in Residence program, the Appleton Awards for educators, Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap early learning programs, Mr. Stevey & Friends family workshops, and Center Stage Conversations community dialogues. The Foundation is also leading the development of a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center in partnership with the City of Sarasota, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop with approximately 2,700 seats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ArtSELF (Arts for Wellness Series) Community arts-based wellness program that uses performing arts experiences to support individual and community well-being, offered free of charge to Sarasota-area participants.
• Artists in Residence Program Residency program that places professional performing artists within the Sarasota community to deliver performances, workshops, and educational engagements.
• Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap School-based early-childhood performing arts education program delivered in partnership with local schools and early-childhood centers, modeled on the national Wolf Trap program.
• Mr. Stevey & Friends Free family and children's performing arts program designed to introduce young audiences to live performance in the Sarasota community.
• Friends Society Membership Tiered donor membership program offering individual supporters recognition, engagement opportunities, and benefits in exchange for annual charitable contributions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ students and families served annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota CountymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026$350,000 partnership for Mindful Recovery: An Arts Integration Approach for Early Learning program. Funded through the ELC's Hurricane Ian Impact Disaster Grant, reaching up to 60 early learning sites and 260 classrooms to address trauma from multiple hurricanes.
• WittKiefferminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 January 2026National executive search firm that conducted the national search resulting in John Shumaker's appointment as CFO and COO.
• Van Wezel Family (Dr. Anthony Van Wezel Stone and Katherine Van Wezel Stone)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Grandchildren of Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel (original donors who created the Hall) have announced their support for the Performing Arts Center project. The family is participating in community engagement efforts and ensuring the legacy continues alongside the new center.
• University of South Florida Sarasota-ManateemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Collaboration for Music and Mind: A Conversation About the Healing Power of the Arts featuring Renée Fleming. USF Sarasota-Manatee provided the venue (Student Center Ballroom) and collaborated on program content with faculty panelists including Dr. Jennifer Bugos.
• HR&A AdvisorsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Economic consulting firm that prepared the Economic Impact Study projecting $194 million in annual economic activity from the new Performing Arts Center. Also involved in real estate and economic development analytics.
• Stokes Urban StrategiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Economic development analytics firm led by Alex Stokes (formerly with HR&A Advisors) providing analysis supporting the Performing Arts Center business plan.
• Renzo Piano Building WorkshopcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 February 2025Internationally renowned architecture firm serving as lead architect for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. The firm presented initial design concepts in September 2024 and updated designs in February 2025.
• Sweet Sparkman ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 February 2025Local Sarasota-based architecture firm serving as Architect of Record, working alongside Renzo Piano Building Workshop on the Performing Arts Center project.
• Arup GroupmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 September 2024Leading theatre and venue design and advisory practice serving as design consultants for the Performing Arts Center project.
• Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2024The foundation is a proud affiliate of Wolf Trap Institute, creating Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap. This partnership brings evidence-based arts integration techniques to early childhood classrooms through trained teaching artists. Wolf Trap supports over 100,000 children nationally and internationally.
• City of SarasotacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Primary public partner in the public-private partnership to build a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. The City owns the Van Wezel Hall and is co-developing the new center. Partnership includes joint governance, property tax amendment discussions, and collaborative project development.
• Bay Park ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaborative partner in the Performing Arts Center project, working together on the unified cultural campus at The Bay. The conservancy manages the surrounding parkland where the new center will be located.
• The HavenmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner for the Resilient Retreat program providing regular arts programming for aging adults with disabilities. Visiting artists engage participants twice weekly exploring arts for memory recall, motor skills, and quality of life.
• Forty Carrots Family CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Community partner where Monica Van Buskirk (Board member) serves as Trustee. Partnership for family programming and community engagement.
• Van Wezel Performing Arts HallcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Long-standing partnership since 1987 with the City of Sarasota-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The foundation provides funding for education programs, schooltime performances, and collaborates on programming. The Van Wezel Hall will continue as part of the cultural campus alongside the new Performing Arts Center. Ex-Officio Board Member Mary Bensel serves as Executive Director of the Hall.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: West Palm Beach's Kravis Center combines performing arts venue operations with arts education and community programming. Comparable as a Florida arts foundation running education and community engagement alongside venue operations.
• Naples Philharmonic Foundation: Artis-Naples (formerly Naples Philharmonic) is a Florida performing arts organization with substantial education programming and foundation fundraising. Comparable as a Florida arts foundation with combining performing arts and arts education.
• Asolo Repertory Theatre: Asolo Rep is a Sarasota-based professional performing arts organization with a long-standing partnership with the Van Wezel Hall and the Foundation's network. Strong local/regional peer in the same performing arts ecosystem.
• Straz Center for the Performing Arts: Tampa's Straz Center is a Florida performing arts center with associated foundation, education programs, and fundraising operations. Comparable in scope, regional Florida market, and combined venue + education mission.
• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust operates a cultural district with multiple performing arts venues, education programs, and a public-private partnership model similar to SPAF's planned new PAC. Both organizations combine venue stewardship, arts education, and community programming in a single nonprofit.
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: Orlando-based Dr. Phillips Center is a Florida performing arts venue and foundation with a similar capital-campaign-to-operating-venue trajectory, comparable education programming, and major donor leadership. Comparable as a Florida performing arts center foundation.
• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County: The Arsht Center is a major Florida performing arts venue with foundation support, education/outreach programs, and a capital-campaign history. Comparable as a large-scale Florida performing arts center with education mission.

Others

• Hermitage Artist Retreat: Sarasota-area artist retreat and arts nonprofit with overlapping programming via artist residencies. Comparable as a regional Florida arts organization with shared donor and partner networks.
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County: Local community foundation in Sarasota County that supports arts and education initiatives. Comparable as a Sarasota-based philanthropic organization with overlapping donor base and cause areas.

Regional players

• Gulf Coast Community Foundation: Regional philanthropic foundation serving the same Gulf Coast Florida geography as SPAF, with overlapping arts and education grantmaking. Comparable as a regional grantmaker in the same donor/grant ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/VanwezelPAH
• Facebookfacebook.com/SarasotaPerformingArts
• Instagraminstagram.com/vanwezelpah

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation