The centerpiece of Sarasota Rising’s initiatives is an interdisciplinary arts festival like no other, staged in our beautiful, eclectic, semi-tropical region. From November 10-17, 2024, our festival will broaden our region’s audience for the arts in all its “flavors,” emphasizing performing arts while offering visual arts exhibitions, family-friendly events, live music and more. Whether you’re an artist, business, prospective volunteer or potential donor, we encourage you to connect and RISE WITH US for an opportunity to help build a special legacy for our special initiative.
Step into the Room Where It Happens
Experience a peek at the exciting week ahead
Savor light bites and beverages
Enjoy local youth performances all day long
Family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities to learn and grow
Art appreciation, art therapy and art immersion
Rooftop experience of arts and culture
Highlights of the week ahead at various venues
ChalkFest, Brazilian Band, performances, food and festivities, and much more
An area wide salute to our local and national heroes
Enjoy premiere performances and crowd favorites
Walking tour with song and dance through art displays
Creative sponsors – Selby Gardens and Embracing
Our Differences
Arts explosion throughout the city of Venice
Theatre, symphony, art displays, and more
Pop-up exhibits, performances, curated buskers
Live performances, food, spirits
Enjoy supporting your area Cultural Coast venues, large and small
Watch for our Spin the Wheel to win tickets to our cultural venues
Attention paid to our area Arts Organizations with your favorite performers and artists
Area youth onstage! See the stars of tomorrow: singers, dancers, musicians, circus acts and more!
Entertainment, festivities, food and beverages
Prize awards for Best of the Fest, Excellence in Artistry, Rising Star, and more!
Current prize categories include:
Best of the Festival Award | Best Collaboration | Small But Mighty Award | Innovation Award | Excellence in Artistry | Rising Star Award
These awards are available with naming opportunities. The hope is that area businesses, foundations, and philanthropic individuals will support the Festival while giving a perk to a deserving participant.
Living Arts Festival will be a week-long celebration emphasizing performing arts, with visual and other ancillary arts programming scheduled throughout. Established organizations will offer special accessibility to new visitors, while others will produce works specifically for the festival. Expect vibrant kick-off events, world premieres of performing arts productions, art exhibitions, youth and family programming, celebrations of diversity, block parties, inspired food and beverage showcases, educational outreach and philanthropic activation.
As we near 2024, the Sarasota Rising team will offer opportunities for organizations, artists and volunteers to be a part of our festival programming. Whether you’re an established painter, a public-school theatre director, someone with a great band, a small arts organization looking for a stage or just an arts enthusiast looking to volunteer your energy, we’ll want to assemble a comprehensive list of anyone that wants to make Living Arts Festival a glowing success!