In May 2000, the Florida Legislature created the Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts. The Center incorporates the world renowned Ringling Museum, the Ca' d'Zan (the former Ringling Residence), the Ringling Museum of the Circus and the Florida State University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. The Legislature directed the Center to provide academic programs in theatre, dance, art, art history and museum management.

This conceptual plan explores many of the opportunities and possibilities presented by the creation of this new cultural arts center. Some of the activities in this plan can and will be accomplished with existing resources in the immediate future; other aspects of the plan will require extensive planning and additional funding. FSU sought new resources for academic programming in art history, art education and museum management in its enhancement funding request to the 2000 Legislature. The University will seek similar new resources for programs with the Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts in the upcoming 2001 legislative session. Florida State University is committed to develop with energy and enthusiasm the Center's inspiring potential.

Florida State University is experienced at offering education at locations remote from its main campus in Tallahassee and in working through cooperative agreements with other institutions. FSU educates students in locations including London, Paris, Florence, and Panama City in north Florida, Panama in Central America, the Caribbean, Vietnam, Prague, Moscow and Costa Rica. FSU also is experienced in museum operations both on campus at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, in Tallahassee, and at the University's Appleton Museum of Art, in Ocala, held in partnership with Central Florida Community College. While FSU's roots are firmly planted in Florida’s capital city, the university sees its mission as a far-reaching one.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is at the core of what is, potentially, one of the finest cultural complexes in the nation. Florida State University, a major research institution, is known for its strength in the arts and the museum field. Florida State University already operates one of its M.F.A. programs in theatre with the Asolo Theatre, located in an adjacent building, a building which is also home to the Sarasota Ballet. The Ringling Museum administration and leading members of the Sarasota community recognize that a premier arts university will be an ideal administrator for Florida’s State Art Museum, one that will encourage many synergies. An alliance of the two institutions will strengthen Florida’s commitment to education and the arts, create a promising future for the State Art Museum, and expand learning and cultural activities.

The union of university and museum will achieve these important goals:

1. A major arts and cultural complex will be established for the state of Florida.
   
   John Ringling founded the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and bequeathed his collections and the Ringling properties to the state expressly for the people of Florida. A partnership with Florida State University will help expand the mission of the museum to provide a statewide focus and better achieve Ringling’s mission as the state museum. All undertakings will be in conformity with the will of John Ringling.
   
   The concept of a larger cultural center anchored by the Ringling Museum offers a lively, comprehensive arts opportunity to the public with many opportunities for joint marketing.
   
   
2. Ringling’s assets will be better used through an expanded educational program.
   
   Coupling the Ringling Museum with a major university will enhance scholarship and provide educational opportunities reaching a broad range of audiences including children, adults and seniors. An increase in education and public service programs will foster the missions of both university and museum.
   
   
3. The merger will increase visibility and enlarge the constituency of the museum.
   
   The Ringling art collections, including the museum's original, historic Asolo Theater, and the unique features of Ca' d'Zan and the Circus Museum distinguish the Ringling Museum. The Ringling ranks 16th among 102 major American art museums in the value of its collection. Association with Florida State University -- respected for its arts programs, museums, and well established and expanding international programs -- will increase visibility for Ringling collections and programs here and abroad. For Florida, the region and the nation, the result will be an extraordinary institution that is closely connected with university operated museums in north and central Florida. With greater visibility will come greater attention and an enlarged constituency.
   
   
4. The opportunity to increase resources will be enhanced.
   
   University ownership and administration under the plan enacted by the Legislature could stabilize museum funding through enhanced state assistance and expand private fundraising opportunities. The partnership described here is only possible with adequate state support but bringing together the two institutions and their respective fund-raising strengths should expand private giving.