About the Author: Carrie Seidman | ArtsBeat
Sarasota County approves arts grants without DEI debate, leaving Urbanite behind
When arts organizations in line for tourist tax grants were asked in July to acknowledge new diversity, equity and inclusion stipulations to receive public funds for 2027, most hoped the Sarasota County Commission would [...]
Florida’s new anti-DEI law threatens funding for Sarasota arts groups
Sarasota County arts organizations seeking a share of $2.1 million in public grant funding this year are facing a new requirement tied to recently approved Florida restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Some [...]
Sarasota erased downtown art without public notice, artists now seek damages
David Blanch labored for hours in the spring of 2024 painting a Sarasota sunset that transformed two sidewalk panels on Pineapple Avenue into a burst of pink, blue and yellow. It wasn’t a big [...]
Streets of Paradise co-founder’s firing sparks turmoil at Sarasota homeless nonprofit
In 2016, Greg Cruz, a former gang member, felon and single father of four, began making a dozen sandwiches at a time on his kitchen counter and taking them to Sarasota’s City Hall to [...]
Sarasota Ballet dancers leave in droves, citing toxic culture and instability
Over the past two decades, The Sarasota Ballet has transformed from a little-known regional troupe to an internationally acclaimed draw, thanks to the vision, connections and drive of Director Iain Webb and his wife, [...]
