MANSFIELD — Surprises can be positive or negative depending on the circumstances.

For Richland Academy of Arts, a windfall donation means the capital campaign’s fundraising efforts have exceeded 50 percent of its goal.

The academy recently received endowed shares — valued at $350,000 — to support $3.7 million. Arts capitalization campaign.

The anonymous donor has “greatly supported a wide variety of capital projects that have been completed by non-profit organizations over the past 10 years in the Mansfield area,” according to a Wednesday news release from the Academy.

“We are sincerely grateful for this generous and unexpected gift in support of our campaign to raise funds this year for our special Academy project,” said Dr. Michael Benson, Executive Director of the Academy.

“We are excited about how the planned renovation and upgrade project will serve our community in the future and the vote of confidence that the gift recognizes.”

Academy “grateful” to its donors

ETA’s fundraising campaign began in May and has raised nearly $2 million
toward the Academy’s $3.7 million goal.

Edward Akinyemi of C-Harris Consulting, which works with local non-profits and other groups, helps lead the academy’s fundraising team.

Donors contributing $100,000 or more include; Richland County Foundation, Robert and Esther Black Foundation Funds of PNC Bank and RCF, Thomas Foundation, Taylor Family Funds of RCF and Ashland County Community Foundation, Gorman Family Foundation Fund of RCF and the State of Ohio.

“We are so grateful to our donors who trust us,” Benson said.

The funds raised will be used to refurbish and upgrade the Academy’s two-storey historic buildings in Mansfield town center – to make much needed and better use of the premises.

In addition to creating new classroom spaces, the plans include costly upgrades to aging electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

“Our existing space is no longer suitable for the Academy’s cultural arts programming
dance, music, theater, visual arts and martial arts,” Benson said.

“We hope to start our construction project early next year thanks to the donors who have
it gave us such a great start.

“Our 33-year-old non-profit organization has outgrown small rooms and outdated facilities, although we want to stay and continue to invest in downtown Mansfield to support downtown redevelopment initiatives.”

(Below are renderings of the construction plan for the renovations and upgrades to the Richland Academy of the Arts facilities.)

‘Critical’ campaign to secure the future of arts education and culture

Arts education and performance opportunities are provided by RAA to more than 2,000 students in Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Knox, Huron, Licking, Marion, Morrow and Wayne counties.

Benson had previously told them Source that the demand for services is increasing due to a reduced emphasis on arts education in private and public schools, as well as more parents choosing to take their children home.

During the 2023-2024 school year, RAA saw growth in several areas, including a six percent increase in classroom enrollment.

Student enrollment increased by 11 percent and the total number of courses offered increased by nine percent.

According to recent data from the Ohio Arts Council, 69 percent of Richland County Public Schools classrooms offer music and 57 percent offer visual art.

“This campaign is a critical step to secure the future of arts education and culture in the region,” he said in August. “For over 33 years, the RAA has been a leader and partner in providing high-quality arts education and experiences to our community.”

Campaign gifts can be sent to the Richland Academy of Arts, 75 N. Walnut St.

To make a gift of stock, “which is easy to do and can provide tax savings,” contact campaign director Chriss Harris at [email protected], the release said.