MANSFIELD — The most recent capital project undertaken at Richland Academy of the Arts began 26 years ago.
Michael Benson, RAA executive director, is now spearheading the non-profit organization’s “Empower the Arts” capital campaign — announced Thursday evening during a program with Mansfield business leaders and city officials.
Seeking to renovate and modernize its downtown Mansfield buildings, RAA is launching a public campaign to raise $3.7 million. In the last three months, $1 million has already been raised via private donors, the State of Ohio and foundations.
The campaign aims to create inspiring and functional spaces for RAA’s diverse programs, which include dance, music, theatre, visual arts and martial arts.
Additionally, Benson said demand for services is growing due to a reduced emphasis on arts education in private and public schools, as well as more parents choosing to home-school their children.
According to recent data from the Ohio Arts Council, 69 percent of Richland County public school classrooms offer music and 57 percent offer visual art, the executive director said.
“This campaign is a critical step to ensure the future of arts education and culture in the region,” he said. “For over 33 years, the RAA has been a leader and a partner in providing high-quality arts education and experiences for our community.”
“We have outgrown our current facilities, and we need to upgrade them to meet the growing demand and the changing needs of our students, families and community members.”
(Below are building plan renderings for Richland Academy of the Arts’ facility renovations and modernizations.)
Renovations to make facilities more suitable for teaching
Arts education and performance opportunities are provided by RAA to more than 2,000 students across Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Knox, Huron, Licking, Marion, Morrow and Wayne counties.
Its historic buildings, of which all are more than 90 years old, are no longer adequate to support the academy’s diverse and expanding programs.
Benson said historically, RAA has also housed community schools within its buildings.
“The classrooms that are upstairs and a part of the facility don’t always meet teaching needs for arts,” he said. “We need to renovate those spaces and make them more suitable and functional for visual art, music and theatre.”
“We’ll renovate two of the spaces upstairs specifically for tap jazz and then for our small dancers. It’s (renovations) really about the teaching spaces.”
(Below are pictures of a dance classroom located on the second floor of the Richland Academy of the Arts, as well as a recently painted mural.)
C-Harris Consulting leading fundraising team
Edward Akinyemi of C-Harris Consulting, who works with local non-profit organizations and other groups, is helping lead the academy’s fundraising team for its capital campaign.
Akinyemi said RAA wanted to continue being a part of the revitalization and beautification of downtown Mansfield.
“We thought this space (RAA) also has to be in line with that,” he said. “If the outside is already beautiful, we also have to keep up with that and keep up with making this a 21st century facility.”
When it comes to fundraising, every donation counts, Akinyemi said, no matter the size.
“Any little bit counts,” he said. “We really urge people to make small donations so we don’t have to only rely on the same donors all the time, because we respect their time and contributions.”
RAA ‘committed to staying’ in downtown Mansfield
During the 2023-2024 school year, RAA saw growth in several areas, including a six-percent increase in class registrations.
Student enrollment increased by 11 percent and the total number of classes offered grew by nine percent.
Along with creating new classroom space, the modernization and renovation plan includes expensive upgrades to antiquated electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
“The Richland Academy is committed to staying in our downtown location and to supporting redevelopment of the city,” Benson said. “This campaign is our opportunity to empower the arts and contribute to the revitalization and development of Mansfield.”
Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield, said to keep downtowns vibrant, successful businesses are necessary — including non-profit organizations like RAA.
“The Academy has been an integral part of our revitalizing downtown for over three decades,” Tasseff said. “Seeing it grow and develop means the continuation of better things to come for downtown.”
Similar comments were echoed by Jennifer Kime of Downtown Mansfield Inc., who said growth and development of businesses and organizations in the city’s downtown have a ripple effect on economic stability and resilience of the region.
“The vitality and community connectivity that spur from downtown non-profit organizations like RAA bring an enhanced quality of life for children and their families,” she said.
“Downtown Mansfield Inc. is thrilled to be a partner and supporter of RAA and looks forward to the organization’s ongoing growth as a downtown anchor institution.”
The public campaign runs through December. Donations can be made online or by mail to the RAA at 75 N. Walnut St. in Mansfield.
