Children's Museums
Sarasota Art Museum
📍 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236🕐 Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–5 PM |
About Sarasota Art Museum
Sarasota Art Museum is a children's museum in Sarasota, FL. The Sarasota Art Museum is housed in a former school building and is run by the Ringling School of Art and Design as a non-collecting museum with 15,000 square feet of exhibition gallery space across three floors. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 591 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Art Museum
- Best For
- All ages
- Key Features
- Interactive sculptures, contemporary art exhibitions, outdoor plaza, bistro, educational programs
- Special Access
- Free admission for veterans and active-duty military (May 16 – Sept 7, 2026)
- Programs
- Summer Art Camp, Jazz Thursdays, school visits, weekly programs
💡 Did You Know?
- The Sarasota Art Museum is housed in a former school building and is run by the Ringling School of Art and Design as a non-collecting museum with 15,000 square feet of exhibition gallery space across three floors
- The museum features Molly Hatch's 'Amalgam' exhibit displaying 450+ hand-painted ceramic plates installed throughout the building
- The museum offers free admission for families of Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel from May 16, 2026 to September 7, 2026
- Jazz Thursdays at SAM hosts evening events on second Thursdays (5:30 pm – 8 pm) featuring live music, drinks, and gallery access
- The museum features works by internationally renowned artists including Louise Bourgeois, David Hockney, KAWS, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Serra, Yoko Ono, Kara Walker, and Ai Weiwei in the 'Something Borrowed, Something New' exhibition
💬 What Visitors Say
- Don't miss the mounted dishware artwork (Molly Hatch: Amalgam with 450+ hand-painted ceramic plates) on the first and second floors—make sure to walk all the way to the northern end of the building to see the full installation
- Visit during Jazz Thursdays (second Thursday of each month, 5:30-8 pm) to experience the galleries with live music, drinks, and a social atmosphere—a unique way to enjoy contemporary art
- Plan 2-3 hours for your visit to adequately explore all three floors of exhibition space, the sculpture courtyard, and outdoor permanent pieces; the Bistro is open 9 am-3 pm daily for lunch breaks
- Active-duty military and veterans get free admission May 16–September 7, 2026; membership includes free admission year-round plus 10% discount at the shop, making it worthwhile if you plan multiple visits
- Bring children ages 5+ to experience the interactive Jillian Mayer: Slumpies sculptures (furniture-like pieces you can sit and interact with) and the Eszter Sziksz: Seeking immersive installation with open-ended questions—both designed for hands-on engagement
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