Responding to a tremendous community need, Richland Academy of the Arts was founded in 1991 as a non-profit and multidisciplinary community school for the arts, and serving area residents from as young as one month through senior citizens in group and individual instruction to an ever-growing student body. Located in downtown Mansfield, the Academy has not only developed a diverse and highly praised curriculum over the past fifteen years, but it has also played an important role in the renaissance and redevelopment of downtown Mansfield.

          Since 1991, the Academy yearly has offered well over 230 classes, workshops, master classes and individual instruction during two 16-week semesters and one 8-week summer term. The Academy’s excellence has resulted in six-day-a-week programming in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts. A well-defined scholarship program, funded primarily through a community scholarship campaign, has made it possible for students from economically-disadvantaged families to be active members of the Academy community. Participation in programs has grown steadily to over 2530 class registrations per school year. An additional 10,000 area residents attend year-round performances, including choral concerts, adult and children’s theater, children’s opera theatre, musicals, jazz, dance and student and faculty recitals.

            In 1994, driven by sold-out classes, fully booked schedule of programs, insufficient space, and developing interest in a broader curriculum, the leadership of the Academy began to explore options for acquiring additional facilities. Adjoining property of 30,000 sq.ft. was donated and expedited the concept of hands-on science, given the natural link between the arts and the sciences (47,000 square feet total). A community-wide committee studied the proposal and recommended to the Board of Trustees in 1997 that the organization’s mission be revised as a multidisciplinary and multi-generational community discovery center dedicated to exploring, expanding, and experiencing learning opportunities in the arts and sciences. Science programming for students and teachers began in the summer of 1997. With the opening of the Discovery Center in early October 1999, the Academy maintains 68 hours of weekly operation and an operating budget of nearly $650,000. Sources of funding in addition to tuition and fees include Individuals, Corporations, Businesses, Foundations (local, state & national) and the Ohio Arts Council.

            A Capital Campaign was launched and $4.5 million was raised with the help of local, state and national foundations including a $400,000 challenge grant from the prestigious Kresge Foundation. A committed Board of Trustees led the Capital Campaign with a very significant lead gift followed by generous contributions from community members, staff, parents, students, and state and local government. Completion of building Phase I was September 1999 with a grand opening and a smaller Phase II was completed at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year. Richland Academy is evolving into a truly unique learning center within the state, one that brings about a synergistic relationship between the arts and techno-sciences. Along with the interactive Discovery Center with arts and science activities, a new TechnoArts division is available; TV production studio, Mac Graphics Lab and a Technics Keyboard (midi) Lab. The 2004-2005 school year found the Mansfield City Schools new Entertainment: Marketing and TV Broadcast Program in Career Education located at Richland Academy. In the 2005-2006 the public/private partnership with Mansfield City Schools has grown to include TV and Entertainment: Marketing Dance and the unique IMAC Conversion School offering graduation diplomas with career training in Building Trades and Integrated Digital Media. Recently, Richland Academy has successfully completed an intensive application process through the Ohio Department of Education to become a Sponsor of Community Schools in Franklin, Cuyahoga, Lucas, Richland and Summit Counties in Ohio. Working with professional education consultants, the Academy will oversee the school’s performance and develop arts programming.

          Academy partnerships have significantly increased and include Mansfield City Schools, IMAC Conversion School, CACY, Friendly House—Club 36, Harmony House, Salvation Army, Ocie Hill, UMADOP, Area Agency on Aging, Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield Public Library, Johnny Appleseed Outdoor Drama, Children’ Theatre Foundation, Kingwood Center, Ohio State University-Mansfield and the Ohio Department of Education.

          Planning for the future by investigating all educational opportunities and sound fiscal management by Board and staff are the primary concerns for the Academy’s future.