Our History

The TOWN HALL Speaker Series began its programing as the Ringling College Library Association (RCLA) in 1975. A pioneering handful of community leaders started by donating $500 to help the then struggling art school build its library. The library was a necessity for the school to receive its college accreditation. Within five short years, RCLA was successful in raising the funds needed to build a new library.  The library opened its doors in 1980 and was named the Kimborough Library. Instead of shutting down after meeting its goal, the RCLA group stayed intact and continued to fundraise to support the resources and needs of the library. Creative programs like selling books, hosting lectures, luncheons and demonstrations, themed parties, and fashion luncheon shows were held to raise funds.

In 1980, a special one-time event was coordinated to be held at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall: “An Evening with Vincent Price.” Tickets were sold for $5.50, $6.50, and $7.50 depending on the location of the seats! The event not only sold out but afterwards there was a clamor for more from the community. The wise early leaders of RCLA knew they could not miss an opportunity like this. By the following year (1981) RCLA’s TOWN HALL was established with guest speakers Stanley Marcus, Peter Duchin, and The Countess of Romanones. Another successful run proved that this model was here to stay, and TOWN HALL continued to bring amazing and world guests to Sarasota year after year, only taking a small brief pause in 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. In it’s 45-year history it evolved from an event held once a day, to twice a day and with special satellite events like the Platinum Appreciation Reception, Art Lecture tours, and Member Days.

As Ringling College grew, so did our non-profit organization. It’s now expanded to nearly 2,000 members, and enjoyed many successes along the way. 2017 marked our greatest success story when the Alfred R. Goldstein Library opened its doors. This state of the art, large, and modern library brought the college to the forefront of media and resource accessibility that wasn’t possible with the now older and small Kimborough Library. It was a vision fulfilled for RCLA, and the result of a long and loving campaign fueled by our members and TOWN HALL loyal patrons.

In 2023, in a move destined to happen, RCLA merged officially with the Ringling College of Art and Design. No longer a separate non-profit organization, TOWN HALL is now overseen by the college and works fully to bring its mission to life for its students, faculty, and community.

As a department we operate with an annual overhead of just under 10 percent and in our history have made gifts to the college in excess of $12 million. Our incredible legacy of support to the library has been an integral part of Ringling College’s success. With the stunning new library, the college is attracting students in record numbers which has helped contribute to the College’s record enrollment. The support given to the Goldstein Library’s programming has also allowed the college to stay current with materials and academic resources the students need. As new and exciting majors are added to the curriculum, the Library’s collection also grows and is critical to accreditation; expanding student and faculty minds in these new areas.

In recent years, we have expanded our support of not only the library and its collections and programs, but also student scholarships. Scholarship funding is the College’s greatest need and we have added additional funding to scholarships in our new gift commitment to the College. We are honored to support student scholarships and giving the gift of education that these funds provide. Within five short years, RCLA was successful in raising all the funds needed to build a new library and its membership grew to over 300 members.

TOWN HALL, Sarasota’s Premier Speaker Series ®

Since inception in 1981, the TOWN HALL Speaker Series has featured the world’s leading spokespeople in world affairs, government, economics, business, social welfare, medicine and arts and entertainment.  The TOWN HALL Speaker Series is sold by subscription.  “Bringing influencers from the worldly stage to our stage in Sarasota.”