Sanibel Island Cultural Arts Center
BIG Arts was founded in 1979 and has been providing cultural fulfillment and enrichment to Sanibel residents and visitors ever since. Their diverse programs cover all types of dance, films, visual arts, theater, comedy, classical, jazz, pop, and contemporary music in a full program of performances, workshops, and special events. See BIG Arts calendar.
Theater, Concerts, Classes, and Workshops at BIG Arts
The BIG Arts complex includes the Marks Box Office, Phillips Gallery, Founders Gallery, Schein Performance Hall for hosting concerts and performances and various rooms which are well used for workshops and classes.
This cultural center offers over 250 classes and workshops each year with thousands of people getting a huge benefit from the programs. Classes and workshops include art in its broadest forms from painting and drawing classes to dance, pottery, photography, fused glass, jewelry making, music, collage, languages, and writing skills. Age is no barrier to these classes, which cater for young and old.
The Winter Academy, as its name suggests, looks more in-depth than single lectures and offers college courses by academic professors specializing in art, music, religion, international law, economics, and more.
BIG Arts Gift Shop
The BIG ARTS gift shop features one-of-a-kind gifts hand made by local artists and craftspeople. You can visit the gift shop during BIG ARTS regular operating hours: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
BIG Arts Hours
The main BIG Arts Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in summer), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed Sundays unless a performance is scheduled.
You can visit the Phillips Gallery from October through April, Monday-Saturday in the afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Founders Gallery is open from October through April, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The organization is affiliated with the Herb Strauss Theater on Periwinkle Way and there are further offices and classrooms right next door to the theater.