• Exterior shot of BIG Arts in Sanibel cultural programs and events include films, visual arts, theater, and a variety of musical performances.
  • Performance hall at BIG Arts cultural arts center in Sanibel, Florida.
  • Concert Band performs at cultural arts center BIG Arts on Sanibel, Florida. | Must Do Visitor Guides
  • Display of items in gift shop at BIG Arts cultural arts center in Sanibel, Florida.
  • Strauss Theater performing art center and BIG Arts film, concerts, art, music on Sanibel Island, Florida. | Must Do Visitor Guides
  • BIG Arts on Sanibel programs cover dance, films, visual arts, theater, comedy, classical, jazz, pop, and contemporary music in a full program of performances, workshops, and special events. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

BIG Arts

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.

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.