Hermitage Artist Retreat Unveils Major 2026-2027 Benefit Events on Florida’s Suncoast
The acclaimed Hermitage Artist Retreat has officially announced dates for two of its most anticipated fundraising events for the 2026-2027 season: the beloved Hermitage Artful Lobster and the prestigious Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner. Both events continue to strengthen the organization’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading incubators for new artistic work while bringing nationally recognized talent to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
For arts supporters across Sarasota, Manatee, Englewood, Venice, and beyond, these annual events have become more than just fundraisers. They are immersive cultural experiences that showcase groundbreaking artists, award-winning performers, and the future of theater, music, and visual art. The announcement follows another busy Hermitage season, including its 2024-2025 benefit event dates previously shared with Suncoast audiences.
Hermitage Artful Lobster Returns to Manasota Key
Set for Saturday, November 7, 2026, the 18th annual Hermitage Artful Lobster will once again transform the Hermitage’s stunning Gulf-front campus on Manasota Key into one of the region’s most unique outdoor arts events.
Held under a large tent overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, the daytime celebration runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and combines world-class entertainment with a signature lobster feast prepared by Michael’s On East.
Unlike traditional gala-style fundraisers, Artful Lobster offers guests an intimate opportunity to experience live performances from celebrated Hermitage Fellows in a relaxed coastal setting. Over the years, audiences have enjoyed appearances from Broadway stars, Grammy-nominated composers, internationally acclaimed musicians, playwrights, and multidisciplinary artists.
Past featured performers have included:
- Tony Award-nominated Broadway performer Betsy Wolfe
- Renowned flutist Claire Chase
- Tony Award nominee Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer
- Acclaimed string quartet ETHEL
- Composer Adam Gwon
- Grammy Award-nominated composer Rona Siddiqui
- Violin virtuoso Daniel Bernard Roumain
The event raises critical funding for the Hermitage’s internationally respected artist residency program, which hosts creators from around the world on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Recent community support has been strong, including the record-setting 2025 Artful Lobster fundraiser.
Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner Set for Sarasota
The 19th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner will take place on Sunday, April 18, 2027, beginning at 6 p.m. at Michael’s On East in Sarasota.
Widely considered one of the region’s premier arts and philanthropy events, the evening celebrates the announcement of the next recipient of the nationally recognized Hermitage Greenfield Prize. The 2027 award will honor excellence in theater.
The Hermitage Greenfield Prize is presented in partnership with the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation and includes a $35,000 commission awarded to an artist whose work demonstrates originality, innovation, and artistic excellence. The discipline rotates annually between theater, music, and visual art.
The selected artist’s newly commissioned work will receive its first public presentation in Sarasota during the spring of 2029, further reinforcing Sarasota’s growing reputation as a destination for contemporary arts and creative development.
Past Greenfield Prize recipients include some of the most respected names in American arts and culture, including playwrights, composers, visual artists, choreographers, and interdisciplinary creators. Previous honorees include:
- Deepa Purohit
- Sandy Rodriguez
- Rennie Harris
- Angelica Negron
- Aleshea Harris
- Martyna Majok
- Nilo Cruz
- Vijay Iyer
- John Guare
- Sanford Biggers
The Greenfield Prize Dinner itself has also featured memorable performances from celebrated Hermitage Fellows, including Tony Award winners, Grammy-winning musicians, and acclaimed Broadway performers. Earlier this year, Broadway’s Will Swenson was featured at a Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner honoring Charisse Pearlina Weston.
A National Arts Leader Based on Florida’s Gulf Coast
The Hermitage Artist Retreat remains one of the most distinctive cultural organizations in the country. It is the only major arts organization on Florida’s Gulf Coast solely dedicated to supporting the creation and development of new artistic work across multiple disciplines.
Artists selected for Hermitage residencies spend weeks developing projects in theater, music, visual art, dance, film, literature, and interdisciplinary performance while staying on the organization’s historic Gulf-front campus.
What makes the Hermitage especially unique is its commitment to community engagement. Throughout the year, Hermitage Fellows participate in free public programs across the region, giving local audiences rare behind-the-scenes access to works still in development before they appear on major stages, galleries, museums, and concert halls around the world.
These programs include:
- Live performances
- Artist conversations
- Readings and music events
- Open studios
- Educational outreach programs
- Workshops for students and teachers
- Interactive artistic experiences
Thousands of residents and visitors throughout Sarasota County and the Florida Suncoast attend these programs annually.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Sponsorship opportunities for both events are expected to range from:
- $1,500 to $10,000 for the Artful Lobster
- $2,000 to $10,000 for the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner
Organizers note that pricing may change, and early sponsorship commitments are encouraged.
For sponsorship information, call (941) 475-2098, Ext. 2.
For more information about upcoming programs and events, visit Hermitage Artist Retreat.