OUr History
Established since 2017
The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative was established in the Spring of 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. In April 2020, the organization received its 501c3 non-profit status.
The organization was started with a small group of like-minded friends interested in advocating greater exposure to artists of African descent, artists and art collectors throughout the Suncoast Arts community. We also collaborated to provide educational forums/symposia to expose students and art patrons to the work of artists of African descent. Our goals have been to ignite a greater interest in African American arts in this and our neighboring Suncoast communities.
We began a program that introduced to our community: Exhibitions, Salons for guest artists, educators, auction houses and collectors. Through our programs we nurtured an interest in artists of color. Our hope has been to bring attention to fresh information about new, exciting artists of African descent to meet and follow their careers. Novice and established artists of color have been introduced and asked to relay their paths to success in the art world and their struggles as well. This organization hopes to provide a cultural and educational service to our Suncoast Community as a whole. Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative is the only supportive African American arts organization in the Suncoast area.
Our Intent
Our intent is to join with local museums, art centers and galleries like: The Ringling Museum, The Sarasota Art Museum, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, Polk Museum of Art, The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Circus Arts Conservatory, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, the Sarasota Board of Education and others, to pursue joint projects and collaborations to expand the horizons for artists of African descent and collectors.