Sara’s Studios Expansion Planned at Manatee Performing Arts Center to Strengthen Arts Education
The Manatee Performing Arts Center is preparing for a transformative expansion with the development of Sara’s Studios, a four-story, 28,600-square-foot facility designed to deepen arts education and community engagement in Manatee County.
The project, led by Florida Cultural Group, represents a long-term investment in artistic excellence and accessibility. Once completed, Sara’s Studios will significantly expand opportunities for students, performers and educators across the region, offering enhanced space for instruction, rehearsal and collaboration.
The new facility will include five private practice rooms for individual instruction and five larger rehearsal studios equipped with professional sprung floors to support dance and movement training. Administrative offices and community meeting spaces will also be housed within the building, creating a centralized hub for educational and artistic programming.
A key feature of the expansion is a state-of-the-art learning and recording lab, designed to integrate technology with performing arts instruction. At the top of the building, a 2,900-square-foot orchestra rehearsal hall with 18-foot ceilings will provide a dedicated space for large ensemble work and musical partnerships, including collaborations with The Pops Orchestra and the future Community Youth Orchestra.
Leaders say the addition is more than a construction project; it is a physical expression of the organization’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences. The fourth floor, added thoughtfully during planning, expands the building’s capacity but has also increased overall costs amid rising construction expenses.
With the project now in its final funding phase, the organization is seeking community support to cross the financial finish line and complete the facility as envisioned. Supporters are encouraged to consider leadership gifts or expanded contributions to ensure the studios open fully equipped to serve the community for decades to come.
When finished, Sara’s Studios will stand as a lasting legacy for Bradenton and the greater Manatee County area — a space where creativity is cultivated, talent is refined and the arts continue to thrive for generations.
