Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/133618
Sarasota News Leader May 31, 2013 In his annual report to the County Commission, Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, pointed out the arts also had "a spectacular season." Page 38 connectivity of things that we're not measuring," he said. He suggested the groups work through the Sarasota Association of Realtors to collect the information. Realtors could ask a simple His report showed that 1,248,906 people at- question of buyers, he continued: "How did tended local arts programs during the 2012 fis- you hear about Sarasota?" cal year that were supported by county grants. "I think the Realtors would be amenable to it," The portion of that attendance made up by Barbetta added. tourists was 42 percent, he added. "Excellent suggestion," responded John Ryan, MAKING THE MOST OF THE VISITS vice chairman of the TDC. Ryan is president and CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of ComFollowing the annual reports, Commissioner merce. Joe Barbetta asked that the TDC and the Arts and Cultural Alliance find a way to track the Commissioner Nora Patterson said the TDC, number of visitors to the county who even- which she chairs, would send a letter to the tually buy local homes or relocate their busi- Association of Realtors to ask that its memnesses to the area. "I think we're missing that bers compile the statistics. % A Sarasota Ballet production was among the arts and cultural programs that received funding from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County in the 2012 fiscal year. Photo courtesy Sarasota County