Steven High to Retire from The Ringling After Long Tenure

Steven High, executive director of The Ringling, plans to retire once a successor is found. High has led the museum complex since 2011, overseeing a campus that spans 66 acres and draws more than 400,000 visitors annually. During his tenure, the institution’s operating budget reportedly grew from $12 million to $28 million, while its endowment rose from $27 million to $67 million.

The Ringling has hired a search firm to help find its next leader. High’s planned departure comes during a broader period of leadership transition in Sarasota’s arts community, following changes at other major cultural institutions.

For Sarasota, this is a significant cultural story. The Ringling is not only a museum; it is one of the region’s defining civic and artistic institutions. Its next director will inherit a major campus, a growing audience and an important role in shaping Sarasota’s arts identity.