Ringling College's primary mission is to provide programs leading to degrees that prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design.

But we believe a college also has a responsibility to be both a force for good in the world and a good citizen of its community. So in addition to our degree programs, we offer many courses, lectures, exhibitions and various art-related services to the local and regional community through our galleries, libraries, continuing education, lifelong learning, volunteer community service programs and soon the new Sarasota Museum of Art.

One way we also interact with the local community is through our Collaboratory program. This initiative started a few years ago in partnership with The Patterson Foundation and provides creative, experiential learning opportunities to all Ringling College students. I have written about the Collaboratory program before, but my focus in this article is about a special strategic partnership that resulted from the Collaboratory with the newly opened Art Ovation Hotel.

On the corner of Cocoanut and Palm, this Marriott Signature hotel not only provides first class accomodations but also promotes and showcases the arts. After all, it is in Sarasota–the epicenter of arts and culture in Florida. Owners envision doing this by hosting curated exhibits, live performances, art-related tours, classes, talks and workshops for their expected major clientele–a national and international audience of art enthusiasts.

To accomplish this mission, the hotel works with Ringling College students, faculty and staff as a primary partner to establish this art connection.  

Let me give you an example. The hotel’s inaugural exhibition is an art show entitled: Legacy: An Exhibition by Ringling College of Art and Design Faculty and Alumni. This wonderful show features work by some of the most celebrated alumni and faculty of Ringling College. I invite you to tour the Hotel and view this stellar work. The idea is that art exhibitions like this will be shown roughly every quarter and the shows will primarily feature the work of Ringling College students, faculty, alumni, etc.

The College’s partnership with Art Ovation Hotel helps to fulfill the College’s commitment to the common good in our region. It supports the university’s growth and economic development efforts; facilitates and develops relationships with community organizations, local governments, and civic groups; and strengthens the College’s relationship with its neighbors.

Of course, the Hotel also works with other arts organizations in Sarasota as it will feature theater, opera, poetry readings, dance performances, etc. to showcase the plethora of arts opportunities in this wonderfully creative community.

Art Ovation Hotel and Ringling College created this partnership and it is being sustained through the efforts of the Hotel. For example, our Business of Art and Design students just made presentations to the top management of the Hotel regarding ideas for initiatives for the next academic year. As a result, the Art Ovation Foundation was established with the purpose of funding various philanthropic projects and furthering a commitment to education by providing scholarships for Ringling College students and collaborative, curriculum-based programming and internships related to the this partnership.

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art and Design.