Sara Robinson

Vice President for Advancement at Ringling College of Art and Design

Sara Robinson has led a distinguished career in fundraising and arts management. Since moving to Sarasota in 2019, she has worked with The Sarasota Ballet and Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation before becoming Vice President for Advancement at Ringling College of Art and Design in 2023.

“Ringling College of Art and Design is an incredible institution. It has been at the forefront of art and design education across the globe for decades. I am thrilled to be part of the growth and development that is taking place on campus and in the community,” she says of the world-renowned art college.

In 1989, Sara graduated with a Visual Arts degree from Pine Manor College in Boston. “What’s happening on campuses nowadays compared to 30 years ago has changed significantly, so it’s exciting to be back where I started, in the visual arts, and with such an amazing institution like Ringling College.”

Each year, Ringling brings thousands of creative minds from around the world to Sarasota through its students, faculty, and staff. “For the past 93 years, it has been the nexus for a lot of energy and creativity that happens in this community,” she adds. 

Sara emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between the college and the community. “The College benefits from community support and the community benefits from hundreds of programs and activities that Ringling College operates in Sarasota each year,” she notes. 

In November 2023, Ringling College announced the public launch of its comprehensive three-pillar fundraising campaign: Catalyst for Creativity. To date, the College has raised over $150 million raised towards its $175 million goal. 

The campaign’s first pillar, “Igniting Creativity,” consists of student-faculty programs, scholarships, and enhancing the on-campus experience. The second pillar, “Connecting Creativity,” is dedicated to community engagement, highlighting Ringling College’s affiliate programs in the community. “The Sarasota Art Museum is in the historic Sarasota High School on South Tamiami Trail. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers courses and events for adults. TOWN HALL has become the premier lecture series in Sarasota. There’s the Englewood Arts Center, and lastly, our seven on-campus galleries with rotating exhibitions and monthly Art Walks that are free and open to the public.”

The final pillar, “Building Creativity,” is focused on the development of the College’s state-of-the-art facilities and technology, including the construction of a new signature, high-tech academic building at the corner of Tamiami Trail and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Each floor will house one of the following top-notch programs—Computer Animation, Virtual Reality Development, Entertainment Design, and Game Art. Additionally, the building will feature a welcome center and permanently house the Richard and Barbara Basch Glass Art Collection, a public favorite showcased annually.

Sara’s experience in strategic planning and capital campaigns has been rewarding. “I love looking at the organizations where I have worked and seeing where they are today—healthy, vibrant, and thriving. I am proud to have played a role in building that stability, and I can see where this capital campaign is doing the same for Ringling College, which will impact the College for years to come.”

Her dedication and vision are essential in shaping the future of Ringling College of Art and Design. Under the forward-thinking leadership of President Dr. Larry R. Thompson, she is committed to ensuring that the College remains a cornerstone of creativity and innovation in Sarasota. “In my role as Vice President for Advancement, I have the opportunity to facilitate initiatives and cultivate relationships,” she says. “I love being a part of the energy and creativity that radiates through Ringling College and our programs.”

Text by Kaileia Suvannamaccha | Photo by Nancy Guth

2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
941-351-5100
info@ringling.edu
ringling.edu