Citizens to Protect the Ringling celebrated a major victory as the proposed transfer of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State’s Official Art Museum, from Florida State University to New College of Florida was left out of the 2025 legislative budget. The grassroots organization, formed earlier this year by former museum board chairs, trustees and community advocates, mobilized thousands of citizens to oppose the Governor's plan. The controversy began in February when Governor Ron DeSantis included language in his proposed budget to transfer stewardship of Florida's Official State Art Museum from FSU—which has successfully managed the institution for 25 years—to New College of Florida. New College is the smallest of the State’s public universities and faces a barrage of financial and management crises along with serious allegations of substandard academic programs, enrollment inflation and mismanagement. Not to mention costing taxpayers $500,000 per degree!  The Ringling Museum will continue its successful partnership with Florida State University, preserving the institutional expertise, infrastructure and resources that have made it a cornerstone of Florida's cultural landscape.

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