Ringling Museum Remains Affiliated with Florida State University: What This Means for Art Lovers

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, will stay under Florida State University’s (FSU) management for the next year. This decision comes after lawmakers dropped a controversial proposal from Governor Ron DeSantis, which aimed to transfer control of the museum to the New College of Florida (NCF).

Established in 1927 by circus mogul John Ringling and his wife, Mable, the museum is home to over 10,000 art pieces. It has been managed by FSU since 2000 and is one of the largest art museums associated with a university in the U.S.

In February, Governor DeSantis suggested this transfer in his budget plan for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. NCF has been in the spotlight recently, having gone through significant changes that some label as a "right-wing takeover." This transformation included appointing conservative board members and controversially removing LGBTQ+ books from its library. Critics have voiced concerns about NCF’s financial management and the exodus of faculty and students.

This week, state lawmakers approved a new budget of $115.1 billion, putting a stop to DeSantis’s proposal. Many in Sarasota, including former Ringling board chairs, museum trustees, and a group called Citizens to Protect the Ringling, rejoiced at this decision. This group—now with over 2,500 members—actively opposed the transfer through meetings, social media campaigns, and lobbying.

Nancy Parrish, the group’s president and a former Ringling board chair, expressed gratitude for grassroots efforts that made this possible. They highlighted how community voices can influence decisions, even against powerful political players.

NCF’s trustees mentioned at their last meeting that they will no longer seek control of the Ringling Museum. This was not the only proposal that fell through; another plan to absorb the University of South Florida’s Sarasota campus was also left out this legislative session.

The museum’s future with FSU should be a sigh of relief for many. Culture and history matter to communities, and the Ringling serves as a cornerstone in Sarasota. As Parrish said, when a community unites its voice, it can significantly impact important decisions.

In recent discussions on social media, local residents showed overwhelming support for keeping the museum with FSU, emphasizing its role in cultural preservation.

For more information, you can check out a detailed report from the Herald-Tribune.

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