The new WGCU Public Media documentary Rising: Surviving the Surge tells the story of how Hurricane Ian devastated vast swaths of Southwest Florida in 2022, and it’s filled with dramatic firsthand accounts of what it was like to live through the storm and its aftermath. Rising was created in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Humanities, Florida Humanities, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and it’s an important document, because it captures how much Ian changed our understanding of hurricanes, as well as hurricane recovery.

While the terms “disaster relief” and “disaster recovery” are often used interchangeably, they, in fact, denote two distinct phases: “Relief” refers to efforts to meet people’s immediate needs after a storm (think emergency food and shelter), while “recovery” is focused on the long, arduous work of rebuilding, which can take years. We see both phases in Rising. The film showcases the selflessness and bravery of neighbors pitching in to help neighbors survive Ian, while also following the plight of residents trying to fortify and elevate their homes in anticipation of the next storm.

That dovetails with the mission of the Community Foundation’s Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, which was created right before Ian made landfall. The fund has awarded nearly $6 million since then in response to that storm, as well as the disastrous 2024 hurricanes, and priority areas include, yes, helping people repair and rebuild their homes, but also helping address needs that are perhaps less obvious. Those include case management services for homeowners, support for childcare providers to allow parents to return to work and mental and behavioral health care for storm victims.

That’s huge. In Rising, filmmakers Janine Zeitlin and Tom James profile multiple Ian survivors who report feeling a terrifying sense of déjà vu as Hurricane Helene and Milton churned toward Florida in 2024, reawakening the stress and trauma caused by Ian.

Just this year, the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund has issued grants to nonprofits like SRQ Strong, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Resilient Retreat and others that are helping survivors deal with the long-term aftershocks of storms like Ian. Such work is vital, because we know that while we may have so far this year experienced a slow hurricane season, it’s not a matter of if we’ll experience another major storm, but when.

To experience Rising for yourself, I invite you to attend a free screening. The first will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, as well as local historians who will discuss the legacy and impact of past storms on our community. A second screening will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at Venice Library, 300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice.

Kirsten Russell is the vice president of community impact at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Every day, in classrooms across Sarasota County, students are discovering new ways to think, communicate, solve problems, and understand themselves through the arts. Our community has long recognized something profound: arts education isn’t extra. It’s essential.

Last year, voters overwhelmingly supported the referendum that helps fund critical educational priorities such as arts instruction. That investment drives real opportunities for students to develop their talents and expand their horizons. It ensures that every child can access high-quality arts learning that fuels both academic success and lifelong fulfillment.

We now have the chance to show exactly what that support looks like in action.

On November 1, in partnership with Sarasota County Schools and the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County invites families and students to the Arts in Education Celebration, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum. This free community event will bring arts learning to life through student performances, vibrant art exhibitions, and hands-on creative activities. Several EdExploreSRQ providers will be on site to share their experiential learning programs, ensuring teachers and families can connect with opportunities for artists and cultural organizations to visit classrooms or welcome students into theaters, studios, and more.

This gathering is joyful, yet it also carries a powerful message. Arts education is one of the key differentiators that contributes to Sarasota County Schools’ long-standing success as a highly rated district. The arts keep students in school, help them succeed academically, and equip them with the critical skills to thrive in work and in life. Those aren’t just inspiring talking points: decades of research affirm that students engaged in the arts show stronger attendance, improved test scores, and greater long-term outcomes.

There’s also something very powerful about gathering in a place where learning once happened, and art now thrives. It perfectly reflects what arts education does—it transforms spaces, people, and possibilities. Education and creativity aren’t separate worlds; they ignite each other and shape what’s next for our community.

The Arts in Education Celebration honors not only student creativity, but also the dedicated arts educators who inspire curiosity, confidence, and self-expression every day. These educators encourage students to take risks, to collaborate, to imagine new futures, and to see the world through a broader lens.

Supporting arts education means investing in the leadership, innovation, and cultural vitality that define Florida’s Cultural Coast. We are proud to celebrate the extraordinary arts instruction happening in our schools and grateful to our voters, partners, and teaching artists who help make this work possible.

The arts are where learning comes alive. Visit SarasotaArts.org to learn more about Arts Education in Sarasota County.

 Brian Hersh is the CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. 

Pictured: Students explore Afro-Cuban dance and drumming with Sarasota Contemporary Dance through EdExploreSRQ. Discover more at the Arts in Education Celebration on Nov 1 at Sarasota Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Florida’s economic future depends on its people — on students who are ready not only to graduate but to step confidently into careers that sustain our local communities and drive statewide growth. The new Talent Strong Sarasota initiative highlights the collaborative effort happening right here at home to help every student graduate with a plan, a pathway, and a purpose.

We’ve often heard people say that “college isn’t for everyone.” Looking at it through today’s lens let’s consider reframing that — “education beyond high school is for everyone,” because our students are entering a world that demands it. Whether that means earning a technical certificate, industry credential, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, continuing to learn is no longer optional — it’s essential.

The statewide Talent Strong Florida campaign, powered by the Florida College Access Network (FCAN), builds on research showing that postsecondary education is a powerful economic driver. The Helios Education Foundation’s recent Florida Future Billions report revealed that when more Floridians earn a college degree or credential, communities see billions in added economic impact.

Our local college access network (LCAN), PLANit Sarasota, is leading this campaign in our region, bringing together partners and organizations that believe today’s youth will make crucial workforce contributions to our community in the future. Dr. Kimberly Krupa, network development and engagement consultant for FCAN touched on this and more in our recent Education Conversations podcast. (https://edfoundationsrq.org/podcast/s3e5-florida-college-access-network-local-connections-statewide-impact/)

Sarasota’s workforce landscape is rapidly evolving. As industries — from healthcare and manufacturing to technology and the arts — adapt to new demands, local employers are eager to connect with the next generation of skilled, educated talent. By aligning education and workforce priorities, Talent Strong Sarasota will create bridges between classrooms and careers.

Our new economy rewards curiosity, flexibility, collaboration, and lifelong learning — and it requires students to build skills beyond academics. They must embrace adaptability and continuous learning; collaboration and communication; critical thinking and problem-solving; emotional intelligence and self-awareness; and, most importantly, purpose and agency — knowing how to navigate choices and transitions.

We invite Sarasota’s business, nonprofit, and education communities to join us and PLANit Sarasota to help students graduate with a plan. Partner with PLANit, support efforts to increase FAFSA completion and postsecondary access, and mentor or apprentice students today who can contribute to your business or organization tomorrow.

Because when our community invests in its students, we build not just stronger individuals, but a stronger, more resilient Sarasota.

Jennifer Vigne is the President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and powers PLANit Sarasota. 

Pictured: Future-Ready Scholars at Education Foundation of Sarasota County took part in a career exploration at Sarasota County Fire Station No. 9. Career explorations provide opportunities for students to consider postsecondary car0eer paths.