Richland Academy Of The Arts

OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER, THROUGH ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, THE CREATIVE POTENTIAL THAT EXISTS IN EVERYONE TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR COMMUNITY, AND THE WORLD AT LARGE.

THE RICHLAND ACADEMY OF THE ARTS (RAA) EXISTS TO PROVIDE QUALITY PROGRAMMING IN ARTS EDUCATION AND OFFERS INSTRUCTION IN DANCE, MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, THEATRE, AND MARTIAL ARTS. STUDENTS AND CUSTOMERS INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, FROM INFANTS TO 60+. OUR TARGETED CLIENTELE IS SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS, WITH UNIQUE PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS. REGISTRATION DATA INDICATES OUR CUSTOMERS RESIDE IN THIRTEEN COUNTIES WITH 89% LIVING IN RICHLAND COUNTY.THE RAA WAS FOUNDED IN 1991 AS A NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY MULTI-ARTS EDUCATION CENTER. LOCATED AT 75 NORTH WALNUT STREET IN THE DOWNTOWN CARROUSEL DISTRICT OF MANSFIELD, THE RAA HAS DEVELOPED A DIVERSE AND VALUED CURRICULUM WHERE ITS ACADEMIC CALENDAR INCLUDES YEAR-ROUND CLASSES. DURING THE 2021-2022 YEAR, 1,396 STUDENTS REGISTERED FOR AND ATTENDED A TOTAL OF 8,243 WEEKLY CLASSES AND A TOTAL OF 8,661 PEOPLE ATTENDED PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS ON AND OFF CAMPUS. THE RAA RECEIVED DONATED SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $115,304 FOR US IN EDUCATION, PROGRAMS, AND PERFORMANCES. THIS AMOUNT IS NOT REFLECTED ON THE 990 FORM PER IRS INSTRUCTIONS.

IN 2006, THE RICHLAND ACADEMY OF THE ARTS (RAA) IMPLEMENTED WHAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE RAA AND THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCTION (ODE) TO BECOME A SPONSOR OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE INNOVATIVE FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DESIGNED BY EDUCATORS, PARENTS, OR CIVIC LEADERS THAT ARE OPEN BY CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE STATE OF OHIO FOR RESULTS. CHARTER SCHOOLS (CALLED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN OHIO) ARE INDEPENDENT AND INNOVATIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT FOSTER PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS HAS REPORTED THAT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT HAS BEEN A LEADER IN INNOVATION AND EDUCATION REFORM. RAA HAS EARNED AN "EFFECTIVE" SPONSOR RATING EACH YEAR SINCE 2017 BASED ON A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY THE ODE. DURING THE 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE RAA SPONSORED FIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INCLUDING: CASE PREPARATORY ACADEMY IN AKRON, CESAR CHAVEZ COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOLS IN COLUMBUS, COLUMBUS BILINGUAL ACADEMY NORTH, LORAIN BILINGUAL PREPARATORY ACADEMY, AND NORTHSIDE PREPARATORY ACADEMY IN CINCINNATI. THE RAA IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WITH ARTS PROGRAMMING.