Maria Schaedler-Luera’s commitment to the Sarasota community goes beyond workshops and performances. She serves on staff at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and as a consultant to The Patterson Foundation — two of the region’s most respected organizations working at the intersection of arts, education, and civic life.
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County serves as the voice, advocate, and resource for arts and culture in the community — a connector building bridges between artists, organizations, and the public in collaboration and celebration of the creative life we all share.
Maria serves on the Arts Alliance staff as Program Officer and Patriot Plaza Tour Coordinator — a role that places her at the center of arts education, community programming, and the stewardship of one of Sarasota’s most meaningful civic landmarks.
As Program Officer, Maria:
- Develops and oversees arts education and community programming across Sarasota County
- Connects artists, schools, and organizations to Alliance resources and opportunities
- Serves as a liaison between the arts community and the broader civic ecosystem
- Facilitates bilingual and multicultural programming to ensure the arts are accessible to all members of the community
As Patriot Plaza Tour Coordinator, Maria:
- Coordinates educational school tours at Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery
- Brings her skills as a teaching artist and community educator to honor veterans through meaningful, guided experiences
- Works to ensure that students and community members connect with the stories and sacrifices represented at this sacred site
Note: Patriot Plaza is administered by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County through a partnership agreement with The Patterson Foundation.
The Patterson Foundation
The Patterson Foundation is one of the Suncoast region’s most respected philanthropic organizations, working across a broad range of community initiatives that advance education, civic engagement, and nonprofit thrivability. Maria serves as a direct consultant to TPF on one key initiative:
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Maria contributes her expertise in arts integration, bilingual education, and community engagement to this regional literacy initiative — ensuring that the arts remain a powerful tool for reading development across Sarasota and Manatee Counties, with a particular focus on multilingual and underserved communities. TPF directly funds this consulting work in recognition of Maria’s unique ability to reach communities that traditional literacy programs often miss.