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 seventeen 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 awarding over $30,000 annually, 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. Sources of funding in addition to tuition and fees include Individuals, Corporations, Businesses, Foundations (local, state & national) and the Ohio Arts Council. 

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 was secured for a total structure of 47,000 sq.ft. At that time the Board and community committees studied and developed the concept of hands-on science, given the natural link between the arts and the sciences. 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 and the State of Ohio. 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 has evolved into a truly unique learning center within the state, one that now brings about a synergistic relationship between the arts and education. 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 grew 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. Richland Academy successfully completed an intensive application process in 2006 through the Ohio Department of Education to become a Sponsor of Community Schools in Franklin, Cuyahoga, Lucas, Richland and Summit Counties in Ohio. The Academy works with the Governing Authority and oversees the school's performance and ultimately will develop arts programming. 

In the Fall of 2009 Richland Academy will become a satellite campus for a Performing Arts Academy in music, theatre, dance and film. The College Tech Prep Program for Performing Arts is a partnership between Pioneer Career and Technology Center and Richland Academy in cooperation with The Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College. Juniors and Seniors in 30 high schools comprising the consortium will be able to participate. 

Current Academy collaborations include Friendly House Club 36, Richland Newhope, Area Agency on Aging, Arthritis Foundation, Children's Theatre Foundation, Mansfield Bicentennial/4th of July Production, Kingwood Center, Richland Newhope Center, Kingwood Center, Foundation Academy Charter School Arts Exploration program, area Public Schools Young Voices, Ohio State University at Mansfield, the Ohio Department of Education. 

Planning for the future by investigatingHistory:

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 seventeen 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 awarding over $30,000 annually, 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. Sources of funding in addition to tuition and fees include Individuals, Corporations, Businesses, Foundations (local, state & national) and the Ohio Arts Council. 

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 was secured for a total structure of 47,000 sq.ft. At that time the Board and community committees studied and developed the concept of hands-on science, given the natural link between the arts and the sciences. 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 and the State of Ohio. 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 has evolved into a truly unique learning center within the state, one that now brings about a synergistic relationship between the arts and education. 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 grew 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. Richland Academy successfully completed an intensive application process in 2006 through the Ohio Department of Education to become a Sponsor of Community Schools in Franklin, Cuyahoga, Lucas, Richland and Summit Counties in Ohio. The Academy works with the Governing Authority and oversees the school's performance and ultimately will develop arts programming. 

In the Fall of 2009 Richland Academy will become a satellite campus for a Performing Arts Academy in music, theatre, dance and film. The College Tech Prep Program for Performing Arts is a partnership between Pioneer Career and Technology Center and Richland Academy in cooperation with The Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College. Juniors and Seniors in 30 high schools comprising the consortium will be able to participate. 

Current Academy collaborations include Friendly House Club 36, Richland Newhope, Area Agency on Aging, Arthritis Foundation, Children's Theatre Foundation, Mansfield Bicentennial/4th of July Production, Kingwood Center, Richland Newhope Center, Kingwood Center, Foundation Academy Charter School Arts Exploration program, area Public Schools Young Voices, Ohio State University at Mansfield, 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. all educational opportunities and sound fiscal management by Board and staff are the primary concerns for the Academy's future.