The Sarasota County Arts Council administers four grant programs available for application:

• John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Awards
• John Ringling Towers Historic Preservation Grants
• Opportunity Grants for Arts
• Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Grants

The John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Fellowship is designed to recognize practicing, professional, creative artists residing or working in Sarasota County through monetary fellowship awards. The program provides support for artists of exceptional talent and demonstrated ability to continue to produce work. John Ringling Fellowship awards are up to $5,000 each.

The John Ringling Towers Historic Preservation Grant is given to not-for-profit organizations or governmental agencies located in Sarasota County , to be used for historic rehabilitation, capital (bricks and mortar), preventive maintenance projects or national register designations. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 in recognition of historic preservation projects. The number of awards will vary according to the number of applications reviewed, the recommendations of the panel and the funds available.

Application Workshops:
Workshops for the Opportunity Grant, John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Awards, and John Ringling Towers Historic Preservation Grant:

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (1st floor conference room, Roskamp building, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota):
9:30 a.m. John Ringling Towers Historic Preservation Grant
10:30 a.m. John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Award
11:30 a.m. Opportunity Grant

Friday, June 27, 2008 (Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Venice)
9:30 a.m. John Ringling Towers Historic Preservation Grant
10:00 a.m. John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Award
10:30 a.m. Opportunity Grant

Application Deadline:
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 (postmarked on this date, or hand-delivered to the SCAC Office; late applications will not be considered for funding)

The Tourist Development Cultural Arts Grants

The Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Grants are distributed annually to Sarasota County arts and cultural groups for specific events that enhance Sarasota County 's appeal as a cultural tourism destination. Other factors considered for each grant award include artistic merit, administrative competence, and the cultural and geographical diversity of the project.

For more information, contact:
Walton Ray, Director of Grants
Phone: 941-365-5118, Ext. 303
Email: wray@sarasotaarts.org