Hermitage and Sarasota County Agree to Significant Lease Extension 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) has confirmed that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the Hermitage lease on Manasota Key. Most notably, the amendment extends the lease term of the Hermitage, in addition to providing other safety and security protections for the internationally renowned arts organization that has deep roots in the local community. This vote on July 9, 2024 was a culmination of many months of dedicated work, communication, and negotiation among Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg, Sarasota County Commissioners and staff, as well as the Hermitage Board of Trustees, leadership staff, and outside consultation from community leaders and past government officials.

Among its notable changes, the newly approved lease amendment encompasses an extension of the lease through 2045, further extendable through 2055 upon the completion of planned improvements by the Hermitage and its campus facilities. Additionally, the lease confirms greater access to parking for the growing volume of community programs offered by the Hermitage, increased privacy and protection for Hermitage artists-in-residence, as well as other updates to reflect the County’s acknowledgment of the tremendous growth and expansion of the Hermitage’s impact in the greater Sarasota community. 

Each year, the Hermitage hosts nearly 100 acclaimed artists-in-residence on its historic beachfront campus. Hermitage Fellows, alumni, and curators are some of the leading artists and thinkers in their respective fields from across the globe. These award-winning and world-renowned creators share their artistic talents and insight into their creative process through more than 50 free community programs, hosted at the Hermitage and at partner arts, cultural, and educational venues throughout the region. These impactful and educational programs offer a wide variety of events to residents and tourists throughout Sarasota County. The original works created at the Hermitage regularly go on to renowned theaters, concert halls, publishing houses, museums, and galleries throughout the world; there are now over 800 Hermitage alumni creating and sharing work that traces its roots back to the Hermitage and Sarasota County.

“The Hermitage has proven to be exceptional stewards of this historic property and unique ecosystem,” noted former Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, who has helped to facilitate conversations surrounding the lease amendment. “Under the impressive leadership of Andy Sandberg and an engaged Board of Trustees, the Hermitage has demonstrated they are deeply committed to their mission and to the community. Our friends on the Board of County Commissioners and their dedicated staff recognize that the programming offered by the Hermitage to Gulf Coast residents and visitors is an incredible asset to Sarasota County that must be celebrated, nourished, and supported.”

The amendment and lease extension by Sarasota County for the Hermitage has been approved in large part to the advocacy and care that has been demonstrated by the Hermitage in both protecting and enhancing this unique property over the past twenty-three years.

The Hermitage is recognized nationally and internationally for its acclaimed artist residency program, and the organization is appreciated by the greater Sarasota community for its rapidly expanding community programs, which introduce Gulf Coast audiences of all ages and backgrounds to some of the world’s leading artists across all disciplines. 

“We are excited to further our partnership with Sarasota County, and we are grateful to the County Commissioners and staff who recognize the special role the Hermitage plays in our region,” says Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “For more than two decades, the Hermitage has proven its place as a leading nonprofit in the vibrant arts ecosystem of Sarasota County. Now, as we look to the future of the organization, we are planning a vision for the Hermitage that is looking many decades down the road. This lease amendment allows us to move forward with confidence in pursuing some exciting campus improvements and protections that will ensure the Hermitage is around for many generations, offering an enhanced experience for our distinguished Hermitage Fellows while offering enriching and accessible programs for Sarasota residents and visitors for many years to come.”

“These last few years have been an especially exciting period of growth for the Hermitage,” noted Board President Carole Crosby. “We are inspired by Andy’s ambitious vision for the Hermitage and the commitment of the extraordinary staff. Our partnership with Sarasota County is a unique and special one, which is only fitting considering the singular nature of what the Hermitage brings to Sarasota. I can think of no other organization that collaborates so successfully with such a wide range of arts and cultural institutions while offering a high volume of first-class arts and education experiences to our community.”

Hermitage receives $260,000 in grants for historic preservation, artist impact

The Hermitage Artist Retreat recently received two major grants that will be directed to historic preservation efforts and artist impact in the community. The organization received $110,000 from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Inc., to assist with the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic Hermitage House. The Hermitage also received a $150,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for its “Artist Impact SRQ” initiative, an expansion of the Hermitage’s growing community outreach and education programs, enhancing the Hermitage’s support for its artists and broadening the organization’s reach and impact in schools and underserved communities.

The Hermitage House was originally built in 1907 and is the only property on Manasota Key on the National Register of Historic Places. The Selby Foundation’s grant will directly support the repair and restoration of the foundations supporting the Hermitage House. “This vital historic property is not only an iconic building on Manasota Key, but it is central to our organization, our residency program, and our artists,” says Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “We greatly appreciate the Selby Foundation for their generosity and for recognizing the importance of preserving this cornerstone of our historic campus.” 

Carol Butera, President and CEO of the Selby Foundation, adds: “The restoration and care of the historic Hermitage House, dating back to 1907, is essential to ensuring many decades of continued success for the Hermitage as a leading arts and cultural institution in our community.” 

While the Hermitage is known for its historic beachfront campus, the organization is also recognized for its expansive community programming. “As our programs and collaborations continue to evolve and expand throughout our region, we are excited to build bridges to new audiences, and also to share the extraordinary educational impact of our programs with the students in our community,” says Sandberg. “This generous gift from Barancik Foundation is going to allow us to provide more support and resources to the diverse and accomplished Hermitage artists who are making a meaningful and lasting impact in our community.”

“It’s time to reimagine how we engage students who have historically been underserved by the arts,” says Teri A Hansen, President/CEO of Barancik Foundation. “This support allows the Hermitage to expand its deeply rooted connection with the community and involve more young minds.”

Historic Cisterns Saved

The two cisterns on the Hermitage campus are extremely valuable historic artifacts marking a period in our past on Manasota Key when potable water was not immediately available at the turn of the tap.

The two cisterns on the Hermitage campus are extremely valuable historic artifacts marking a period in our past on Manasota Key when potable water was not immediately available at the turn of the tap. Dr. Alfred Whitney who built the Whitney House, Pump House and Garage in 1941 was quite the clever guy and he provided for clean water by creating a gutter system that funneled rainwater from the Whitney House into the two wooden cisterns. Pumping equipment in the “Pump House” sent the water back up to the Whitney House under pressure for everyday use. Cisterns were a common way to provide potable water in areas where drilling wells was not practical.

Local historians and County experts tell us that these two wooden cisterns are among the most significant, publicly accessible examples of this aqua-system in the entire region. With historic preservation firmly embedded in our organization’s mission, there was no questioning the importance of raising the funds necessary to save them when nature began having her way with them.

Our community agreed. With major grants from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Ehrhart Family Foundation, Gerri Aaron, and additional support from 20 other community members, the cisterns have been completely rebuilt and stand ready to face the Florida Gulf Coast climate well into the future. We thank everyone who has made this restoration possible.