The Venice Symphony has become the pride of South Sarasota County. Residents and tourists fill its performance hall for six sets of concerts each year, December through April.

The Venice Symphony provides cultural enrichment for South Sarasota County and enhances the area's cultural image for residents and visitors through performances of classical works and "pops" selections. It serves as a source of music appreciation education for the community and provides a stimulating musical experience for professional musicians, promising students, retirees with musical talents, and its audience. A free "Pops in the Park" outdoor concert is presented annually.

When the symphony was founded in 1974, the musicians were volunteers including an eighty-six year old French horn player and an eight year old boy and his grandmother, both playing violins. Initially, admission was free with area businesses and contributors covering the costs of music and printing. As operating costs increased and the orchestra became professional, with the seventy-five musicians receiving compensation, it became necessary to charge for admission. Today the Symphony is funded through ticket sales, private and corporate contributions, Tourist Development Council, Sarasota County Arts Council, Friends of the Symphony and other philanthropic organizations, and grants. In 1990 a staff was added to manage the Symphony and its library of music, engage orchestra personnel, and handle the staging of the concerts. The publisher of a local newspaper has praised Venice Symphony as being one of the most exemplary models for efficiency in the arts.