SHARE:
Community Portrait
Sarasota County
Downtown Venice [Photo: Bill Speer] |
Quality of Life
Downtown
Beginning in the early 1990s, Sarasota’s downtown underwent a transformation that has made it one of the state’s most vibrant — there is a strong residential component along with Palm Avenue’s “Gallery Row,” the renovated Sarasota Opera House, a movie theater complex, restaurants and upscale shops.
Philanthropy
Like many Florida communities, Sarasota struggles with the divided philanthropic loyalties of its seasonal residents. Philanthropy, however, is a core part of the community. Among high-wealth individuals who make charitable donations, the average gift is more than $7,320. Among business owners who give, the average gift is more than $11,700. The county has two of Florida’s largest community foundations. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Florida’s largest community foundation with more than $250 million in assets, is one of Florida Trend’s Best Companies to Work For. Last year it awarded some $16.5 million in scholarships and grants in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic affairs and the environment. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has $113 million in assets and awarded more than $10 million in grants and scholarships in 2009. Numerous other foundations also contribute to the community’s philanthropic life. The Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center, for example, provides a rent-free home for 17 non-profit health and human services agencies.
Florida House Learning Center
The modernized cracker-style house was built in 1994 to demonstrate environmentally responsible construction and design and has provided a centerpiece for the area’s environmental consciousness.
Myakka River State Park
Once part of a ranch, Myakka River is one of the state’s largest and oldest, encompassing nearly 60 square miles of wetlands and woodlands.
Arts & Leisure
Asolo Repertory Theatre |
The list of significant arts and cultural groups and venues in Sarasota is massive, including:
» John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
» Circus Museum
» Sarasota Orchestra
» Sarasota Ballet
» Sarasota Opera
» Asolo Repertory Theatre
» Banyan Theater Co.
» Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
» Sarasota Film Festival
» Sarasota Film Society Cine-World Festival
» Sarasota Music Festival
» The Ringling International Arts Festival
» FSU Ringling Center for the Performing Arts
» The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens features one of the best collections of orchids, bromeliads, lichens and other epiphytes in the world and is a leader in their study.
» The Baltimore Orioles conduct spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The Pittsburgh Pirates train in nearby Bradenton.
Ringling Museum of Art |
Taxes and Government
Sarasota County ranks 22nd in total taxes levied per capita. Since 2001, the county has been implementing a performance management system. In 2006, it received an award from the Florida City/County Managers Association for innovations in communications and technology.
Crime
Sarasota County, the state’s 14th most populous, ranked 21st in 2009 in crimes per 100,000 population.
Schools
76% of Sarasota County schools meet high standards in reading, 82% in math and 89% in writing. The district has received an A grade from the state every year since 2004 — one of only 13 counties to do so.