ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA

For more information about ARTIST SERIES FRIENDS volunteer organization please email: friends@artistseries.net

A BRIEF HISTORY
Since inception, the Artist Series of Sarasota has relied on volunteers to assist in its concerts and activities. Until 2006 Board member Betsy Hinrichs arranged and managed volunteers, drawn largely from our loyal audience and donor base. With growth comes change, and in September 2006 a gathering of volunteers further defined and organized volunteers into committees with committee chairs. Plans were laid to introduce a more formalized structure to the growing number of volunteers, and regular meetings of volunteers were established. In March 2008 the organization achieved legal structure with the establishing of its own registered name, submission of required governmental filings that codified its ability to accept charitable donations, and the formation of a managing Board and officers.

Artist Series Friends developed a membership application and established a nominal annual membership fee. As of January 2009 the organization had nearly 150 paid members, many of whom are divided into nearly a dozen functional committees - the membership continues to grow.

A calendar of meetings and events has been set for the 2010-2011 Season. In addition to the many other support services volunteers provide to the Artist Series of Sarasota, the Friends came together to present their first-ever independent fund raiser on February 3, 2009 - its success was followed on March of 2010.  In just two events, net proceeds to the Artist Series annual Scholarship Competition have totalled $45,000. The competition is open to Florida residents in two age-based categories (14-24) and rotates on a three-year cycle between Piano, Voice, and Instrumental disciplines.