FACILITIES & GROUNDS

A strong working relationship with FSU has enabled The Ringling to make progress on a wide range of facility issues, including restoration and maintenance of the buildings on our campus as well as the care of our grounds. We also work closely with historic architects and conservators when our projects focus on the historic buildings on our campus.

Buildings

Funding from the FSU Carryforward allowed for a major treatment of the east façade of the Museum of Art to commence in May. Cast stone elements on the cornice and balustrade were cleaned, stabilized, and waterproofed. The restoration of the Ca’ d’Zan roof entered the design phase, and the replacement of the HVAC at the Ca’ d’Zan will be incorporated into this project. The boiler system in the Circus Museum Tibbals Learning Center was replaced. Our 301 off-site building underwent repairs, including painting, the replacement of the HVAC system and roof, and spraying of insulation. Replacements for the exhaust stacks on the Johnson-Blalock Education Center that had been damaged in 2017 during Hurricane Irma were finally received and installed.

Grounds

Our Facilities team continued to address storm water drainage issues by clearing some 600 feet of storm water pipe that drains out to the bay. This section had been blocked for many years due to invasive Banyan roots. The grounds at The Ringling are a Level 2 arboretum as designated by ArbNet, the arboretum accreditation body of the Morton Arboretum. Due to current staffing shortages, we are relying on contractual staffing for many of our custodial and grounds services. For example, outside contractors are assisting with trimming back trees and doing most of the mowing and edging on the grounds in general. This allows our Ringling staff to focus on the detailed work of the beds, ornamentals, Museum of Art Courtyard, and so forth. The Rose Garden had a lot of new growth probably reflecting our change from using well water with a higher salt content to using fresh water instead. Our volunteers returned for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in the Rose Garden. The Sarasota Garden Club also returned to continue their work in Mable’s secret Garden.

Fundraising and Membership growth continued in a post pandemic rebound phase. Membership participation is trending toward pre-pandemic levels.

Over $1.6 million in new planned gift commitments was received and $1.66 million in gifts of art added to The Ringling’s collections.

Sarasota’s foundations continued to bolster their support for The Ringling as a leading arts organization in the region. Grants from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota County TDC, Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts provided program critical support for exhibitions and performance. Ringling Education and Outreach programs benefited from the generosity of individuals to reach new audiences through initiatives for children and families to create art.

MEMBERSHIP 8,186

MEMBERSHIP HOUSEHOLDS $1.5 M IN REVENUE IN TOTAL @ THE RINGLING $8.1 M RAISED TOTAL RAISED FY 21/22: $8,091,186

One of the most exciting achievements of the year was the receipt of a $1.5 million grant from the Wyncote Foundation of Philadelphia to support the restoration and reinstallation of the historic Aeolian pipe organ in the Ca’ d’Zan. This grant, pooled with $280,000 in gifts from individuals over the years, will make this multi-year project become a reality.

We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our donors and members. Gifts