- February 14, 2025
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In his budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed transferring control of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art from Florida State University to New College of Florida.
Four paragraphs inside DeSantis’ budget bill for 2025 directs FSU to work with New College “in transferring all duties, responsibilities, and state financial obligations of the Ringling including but not limited to, the art museum, the Ca’d’ Zan, circus museums and the Ringling Museum of the Circus, to New College of Florida.”
On its website, The Ringling claims other assets, including Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library and the Historic Asolo Theater.
The transfer would be complete by Aug. 1, the proposed bill says.
In a prepared statement, New College President Richard Corcoran welcomed the plan. “New College is building America’s best liberal arts college, and the addition of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art strengthens that mission, offering an unparalleled cultural and academic resource.
“This proposal will move the needle for both institutions to attain greater heights.”
The Ringling, which sits adjacent to the New College campus along U.S. 41, has been administered by FSU since 2000. Included as well is the FSU Center for Performing Arts, which houses the Asolo Repertory Theatre and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, says the plan makes sense, given DeSantis’ ultimate goal of merging FSU’s operation in Sarasota, and the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus into New College.
“From a logistics and economies of scale and a consolidation standpoint, it does make sense for it to be all be controlled by the same entity,” Gruters told the Observer. “I think it's in line with the governor's vision he started a couple years ago, to help New College be a long-term, vibrant university.”
Gruters also said he’s discussed this possibility with the three schools about the plan. “I have talked to stakeholders from University of South Florida, and I've talked to stakeholders from New College, and I've talked to stakeholders from FSU. And although there's still work to be done, I think it's possible.”
FSU, The Ringling and the Asolo Repertory Theatre did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In its 2023-24 annual review, The Ringling reported $25.5 million in total revenue, with $24.8 million in expenses.
Combined endowments from the John and Mable Ringing Museum of Art Foundation and the Florida State University Foundation totaled $58.9 million with an annual draw of $2.4 million.
New College's budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year is $105.8 million.
This article originally appeared on sister site YourObserver.com.