Anderson Cooper, Justin Trudeau Among Ringling College's 2027 Town Hall Speakers

SARASOTA, FL — Ringling College of Art and Design has announced the lineup for its 46th Town Hall season in Sarasota, with five speakers scheduled from January through April 2027.

The series will bring Anderson Cooper, Justin Trudeau, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Dr. Radhika Dirks and Katie Ledecky to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.

“Town Hall 2027 will feature the leading visionaries and thought leaders from the diverse fields of broadcast journalism, world affairs, economics, artificial intelligence, and sports,” Lauren Kurnov, executive director, said. “Our 2027 season promises to be one of our best yet.”

The long-running series began in 1981 and has since been “convening influencers and thought leaders with a goal to expand horizons, stimulate conversation and inspire the community,” the college said in a news release.

The series opens in January with Cooper, the anchor of CNN's “Anderson Cooper 360°.” Cooper has also been part of CNN's political and election coverage, including conventions, presidential primary debates and town halls, and has reported from nearly 80 countries since 1992.

Trudeau, Canada’s 23rd prime minister, is scheduled to appear next. After leading the third-place Liberal Party of Canada to a historic majority government in 2015, his record in office included appointing Canada’s first gender-balanced cabinet, expanding the Canada Child Benefit, launching a national $10-a-day childcare program, advancing Indigenous Reconciliation and taking action on climate change.

In late February, Sorkin, a journalist and author, is set to take the stage. He’s an award-winning journalist for The New York Times, a co-anchor of CNBC's “Squawk Box,” and the founder and editor-at-large of DealBook.

Dirks will appear in March. She is CEO of Icons AI and advises Fortune 500 executives and international organizations on artificial intelligence.

The season will close in April with Katie Ledecky, the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history. She boasts 14 Olympic medals and 23 World Championship titles.

“Town Hall continues to be a key part of Sarasota’s cultural and educational landscape,” Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design, said. “We’re proud to offer thought-provoking programs that inspire respectful dialogue and broaden perspectives around today’s most relevant topics. With strong community support, we’re eager to kick off another exceptional season.”

The series is sold by subscription. Subscription sales will open for members in May and for the general public in June.