Sarasota Museum of Art receives $1 million challenge

The Sarasota Museum of Art (SMOA) has received a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The donation was offered on the condition that SMOA could secure the balance of $1.45 million by the end of its campaign, the $1 Million Challenge, Saturday May 31.

The $1 Million Challenge is part of SMOA and Ringling College of Art and Design's fundraising efforts to transform the old Sarasota High School building into a modern art museum and education center. The challenge follows SMOA and Ringling’s successful ‘Million Dollar Match’ program that matched dollar for dollar donor contributions up to one million dollars.

Fundraising for SMOA began in 2007 and to date has raised nearly $20 million. The museum’s goal is to raise $22 million to renovate the historic building and establish a functional endowment.

SMOA will be Sarasota’s first modern and contemporary museum combining exhibits with educational programs. Ringling and SMOA plan to transform the building into a 60,000 square foot exhibition space with multi-purpose auditorium, classrooms and studios and indoor/outdoor space for a café or sculpture court.

For more information on SMOA, visit www.SarasotaMuseumOfArt.org.

To contact Harriet Sokmensuer, please email [email protected]