Takeover by New College not a done deal, says former chair of the art museum’s foundation.
By Farah Vallecillo
Original Air Date: April 23, 2025
Host: In February, news broke that the budget proposal submitted by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the legislature includes funding to move the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art under the umbrella of New College. That prompted the creation of Citizens Protect the Ringling. Made up mostly of former board members of the foundation supporting the museum, the organization held a crowded town hall meeting Tuesday. Farah Vallecillo reports.
Aerial view of the Ringling Museum of Art.
Farah Vallecillo: The uncertain fate of the Ringling Museum brought over 400 people to the sanctuary of the Sarasota Unitarian Universalists. There was cheering, clapping, booing, laughter and united support in opposition to the New College takeover. Speakers provided the background information and talked about steps to take.
According to the group, thousands of people have been sending letters and other messages in support of keeping the Ringling Museum under the wings of Florida State University, which has been in charge of the 100-year old institution for the past 25 years. The organizers urged people to send letters and messages to state legislators. One audience member pointed out that it’s harder for legislators to ignore phone calls.
Organizers also urged supporters to share their concerns on social media.
New College has not shared any details about the takeover and how it originated. In an op-ed published by the Observer in February, New College President Richard Corcoran wrote that New College would “preserve a historical gem,” give it “an infusion of resources,” strengthen its “growth and academic prestige” and increase “local stewardship.”
Lack of transparency is a major concern of the opponents. Nancy Parrish is a former board chair of the museum’s foundation and a founding member of Citizens Protect the Ringling.
Nancy Parrish: A backroom deal between the President of New College and Governor DeSantis came to light, and it was a quiet down in the governor’s budget which, as I said, is handing over the museum to the New College President. Uniquely, unlike our current partnership with FSU, one man will have total control without oversight to do what he chooses to do on behalf of New College with the vast Ringling complex. The FSU management would end by August 1. New College would assume complete control.
Audience member: Hell no!
NP: [chuckle] There you go. Right.
FV: Although feelings are intense, Parrish cautioned that the legislature has not yet approved the budget.
NP: The bill that should have been submitted to repeal the statutes that currently exist never happened. Instead, it’s just in the governor’s budget. So, that budget gets voted on only by the Appropriations Committee, and then—behind closed doors—the governor, the speaker, and the president of the Senate get together and decide on a budget together. Compromises are made.
FV: The biggest concern is about New College’s internal challenges and financial limitations.
New College’s historic campus is highlighted in blue. The Ringling Museum land, currently managed by FSU, is highlighted in yellow. Map by Rob Winkler and Alice Herman via Suncoast Searchlight.
Here are some of the operational concerns the takeover opponents have:
- the potential sale of post-1936 art that was added to the collection after the Ringlings donated it to the state;
- the sale of buildings;
- disruption to programs, performances and temporary exhibitions;
- the absence of a plan to maintain the national museum accreditation;
- turning off existing donors;
- the museum’s operations are large and more complex than those of New College; and
- New College does not have the preservation and architecture skills FSU provides.
We tried to reach the New College communications department by phone. Calls went straight to voicemail with a message saying the box was full. We sent an email with details for comment. We did not receive a response before the deadline.
Reporting for WSLR, Farah Vallecillo.
For more information, go to protectringling.org or email info@protectringling.org.
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