$12 million gift by the Morrison and Steans families

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has received a landmark gift of land and property valued at $12 million, a contribution that will more than double the organization’s capacity to host artists in residence and significantly expand its presence on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The gift, donated by the Morrison and Steans families, includes more than six acres of land on Manasota Key, Florida, located just half a mile from the Hermitage’s existing beachfront campus. The property features five main structures and was once home to members of the Vanderbilt family, adding a layer of historic significance to a site already prized for its natural beauty and seclusion.

Its proximity to the Hermitage’s current facilities makes it uniquely suited for artistic use and long-term integration into the retreat’s programming.

The donation honors the families’ parents—Harrison I. Steans, Lois M. Steans, Harold M. Morrison, and Adeline S. Morrison—each of whom shared a deep belief in the Hermitage’s mission and experienced firsthand the creative and restorative power of its Manasota Key setting.

“Our parents believed in the mission and values of the Hermitage, and they understood first-hand the inspiration and importance of its Manasota Key home,” the families said in a joint statement.

“We donate this property to the Hermitage Artist Retreat filled with hope that it will always remain a place of kindness and tolerance, where invited artists feel welcome; a place for fostering community, collaboration, connectivity, and conversations; a place of inspiration and creation; and a place that stewards the rich ecology and diversity of nature.”

Each year, the Hermitage Artist Retreat welcomes accomplished artists working across disciplines, including theatre, music, visual art, dance, film, and literature.

Artists are selected through referrals from the National Curatorial Council, ensuring a carefully curated group whose work reflects both artistic excellence and a spirit of exploration.

Residencies vary widely in focus: some artists arrive with specific commissions underway, while others use the time to experiment, rethink their practice, or begin entirely new projects.

Since its founding, the Hermitage has served more than 850 artists, including 18 Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. Poets Laureate, Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellows, and artists who have earned or been nominated for Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Awards. Work developed during Hermitage residencies has gone on to shape major cultural conversations, appearing on Broadway stages, in concert halls, museums, and universities around the world.

The newly donated property marks a pivotal moment for the organization, enabling it to expand the number of artists it can host and the range of creative possibilities it can support. As sustained time for deep creative work becomes increasingly rare, the gift strengthens the Hermitage’s role as a vital sanctuary for artists seeking focus, inspiration, and meaningful exchange.

This year’s theatrical residents include Tony Award nominee Eden Espinosa, playwrights Larissa FastHorse and Bess Wohl, and composer and lyricist Julian Hornik, among others.

With this transformative contribution, the Hermitage Artist Retreat enters a new chapter—one that reinforces its commitment to artistic excellence, generosity of spirit, and stewardship of the unique natural environment that has long been central to its identity.