Hermitage takes over art center from Ringling College

The Hermitage Artist Retreat is now the owner of the former Englewood Arts Center following a transfer from Ringling College of Art and Design.

The 2 acres and two buildings spanning 10,000 square feet in southern Sarasota County closed in 2025 as Ringling consolidated its community-based arts programming on the main Tamiami Trail campus. The college and the arts center had worked together since 2008.

Now, according to a release, “Hermitage intends to make use of this facility as a multidisciplinary arts center in furtherance of its mission: to inspire and foster the most influential and culturally consequential art and artists of our time. To that end, the Hermitage plans to activate the EAC as extended space for visual art installation and its celebrated public programming, spanning music, theater, visual art, literature, dance and more.’’

Retiring President Larry Thompson of Ringling College said the transfer was a natural progression.

“Ringling College has maintained a close relationship with the Hermitage over the years and thus was a natural and deserving successor of the space,” he said. “The Englewood Art Center played a pivotal role in the local arts offerings, and it was a difficult decision for the college to close its doors. We are pleased the Hermitage can now step in and continue enriching the community with programming for the foreseeable future.”

The transfer is in addition to a $12 million land and structures gift on Manasota Key, less than a mile from Hermitage’s main operation. That donation by the Morrison and Steans family more than doubled the residency capacity of the retreat.

“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Thompson and the board of Ringling College for entrusting the Hermitage with this vital cultural asset,” said Andy Sandberg, artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat. “The college has maintained the property with the highest standard of care for 17 years, and we look forward to preserving and activating this unique facility for many decades to come. This acquisition allows us to dream bigger and to expand our impact in both the local and global arts ecosystems.”

Though announced this week, Sarasota County records indicate the property, located in a residential neighborhood at 350 McCall Road, changed hands on Nov. 30. The property had an assessed value in 2025 of $1.25 million.