The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Community Gallery is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 season. The gallery will present 3-4 different exhibitions between August 2025 and July 2026. Applications may be submitted until Dec. 31, 2024.

What is the Ringling Community Gallery?

The Ringling Community Gallery is a free public exhibition space dedicated to displaying works of art produced by community-based, non-profit, or student groups in the local Sarasota/Manatee area. The Community Gallery is generously funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

How can I propose an exhibition for the gallery? 

All interested groups must submit a brief application that outlines their proposed exhibition and provides background information about the group. An inter-departmental group of museum staff will review the applications and make selections. We are currently scheduling about 2-3 exhibitions per year. Applications for the 2025-2026 season are due by Dec. 31, 2024.

To apply, please read through our guidelines and complete the following application:

View Guidelines

Online Application

**Please note that we only accept applications from community/student groups and nonprofit organizations; individual artists are not eligible for this opportunity.

When will I hear back if I was accepted?

Applicants will be notified of their status by the end of January 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, not all groups will be accepted. Priority will be given to proposals that most align with our strategic vision: Strategic Plan 2024-28 – The Ringling 

If accepted for exhibition in the 2025 year, we will try to accommodate your date preferences but cannot guarantee them. Exhibitions will be scheduled around the museum’s calendar.

Contact information: 

If you have additional questions, please contact:

Caitlyn Shanley
Community Relations Coordinator
[email protected] – Please use the subject line “Community Gallery Application.”
Office: (941) 358 – 2692

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions

Fall 2024 – Sumi-e Society of America Sarasota Chapter: East Asian Brush Painting

Winter/Spring 2025 – South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild

Summer 2025 – Streets of Paradise

Past Exhibitions

Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County

Easter Seals Southwest Florida

Academy at Glengary: Art of Recovery

Fabulous Arts Foundation: Drag Culture Timeline

Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Students Respond 

The Art of Medicine – In collaboration with Sarasota County Medical Society

Art at Home – In collaboration with Ringling Family and Outreach programs 

The Edge Becomes the Center: A Contemplation on Community – In collaboration with the Senior Friendship Center and RCAD students

A Centennial Celebration: The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Ringlings – In collaboration with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

Ringling Re-Imagined – In collaboration with Ringling Family and Outreach Programs

Looking for Angola – In collaboration with New College professor Uzi Baram, his students, and community scholar Vickie Oldham.

Art from Within: Selections from the Ringling Museum’s Staff 

Welcome to our World: Visual Literacy and Collective Knowledge – In collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County

Unidos Somos Más – In collaboration with UnidosNow

Glimpse of the Artist: A Community Celebration in collaboration with the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition

Contact information:

If you have additional questions about the Community Gallery, please contact: [email protected]

The Community Gallery is generously funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County