SARASOTA (WSNN) – For the first time ever, the Suncoast has an opportunity to leave its mark at the newly renovated Sailor Circus Arena.
It’s never been done before in its 71-year history. The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is launching its first-ever, seat-naming fundraiser.
“Unique opportunity for our community, our patrons and those who have an affection for the service arts to support the future of sailor circus academy and the future students who will come through our circus arts training program by naming a seat in our state of the art newly renovated arena facility,” Executive Vice President, Jennifer Mitchell said.
Inspired out of their desire to reconnect with the community after having been so disconnected during COVID.
“To do something during the time of a pandemic, we really feel that people are feeling somewhat isolated, and this is a way that they can not only support a legacy in our community but connect to something, remember someone, memorialize someone in a way that makes you feel part of something bigger than yourself,” Mitchell said.
Vice President of Philanthropy Zoltan Karpathy says it’s a way to give back to their supporters.
“Because we believe we have so many individuals who have helped us come along the way, and now we’re able to put their name, a name of a loved one, maybe a name they’d like to memorialize or maybe even a special occasion that for the next ten years or more, every seat when it’s used, they will be recognized,” Karpathy said.
With two seat-naming options: the VIP or in the Premium & Value Section. There are 1,322 seats with 250 seats already named by some donors.
“All of the proceeds are going into the sailor circus fund, and that will be for the future stars, the future kids who are going to launch their careers here,” Karpathy said.
The Circus Arts Conservatory is a non-profit committed to continuing the circus arts legacy Housing the largest youth training facility in the nation.
Mitchell says it’s about adding excellence to the program.
“That can come through world-class coaches, the use of new equipment, costuming, training; really adding value to the experience that these young people have,” Mitchell said.
Naming a seat is limited to roughly 32-characters, but Karpathy says they’ll work with you.
And you will be able to sit in your named seat very soon. Mitchell says they will be serving the public again with hybrid-viewing options and safety measures in place, come this Winter and Spring season.
Karpathy says Thursday, they’ll be launching a video online with details. At the end of the video there’s a promo code, and if you use it when buying a seat, your name will be entered into a raffle to win season tickets for holiday and spring shows. They’ll be drawing the raffle on December 1st.
Information on the new Seat Naming program can be found on The CAC website at CircusArts.org or by calling 941.355.9335, Ext. 311.
