In May of 1967, a group of community persons interested in the arts met with representatives from existing arts organizations to organize a "Summer Arts Festival" under the leadership of Jackson Wiley, then conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. The Festival was created to provide summer activities for the community and arts activity for local arts organizations during their off season.

In 1971, the group was encouraged by the Ohio Arts Council to adopt plans to become a year-round operation and to develop programs in touring and arts education. A full-time Executive Director was hired in 1974 to provide continuity for the group and the Arts Festival, to work with the Council in the development of programming, and to organize fundraising activities.

A month-long "Appalachian Experience" at Northridge Elementary School and several week-long poetry residences, funded by the Ohio Arts Council in 1975, marked the beginning of the Springfield Arts Council's Arts in the Classroom program.

In 1976, the Springfield Arts Council added an expanded format of arts education programs to its roster in an attempt to offer programs to schools throughout Clark County. It also sponsored a second eight-week dance residency and added an additional dance program and a performance by the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival to form the initial stages of the Winter Artist Series. This was accomplished through much encouragement and funding from the Ohio Arts Council, rather than from a strong community need.

The Summer Arts Festival and Arts in the Classroom programs continued to grow, as did support from local and state government and the community. However, the Winter Artist Series did not grow, and more and more funding was needed from local coffers to subsidize the gap left by low ticket sales.

In 1981, the Springfield Arts Council decided to attempt programming of a more popular nature. Series and single ticket sales increased sharply and progressed on a steady incline until the 1985-86 season. When Memorial Hall was closed, the series was moved to North High School. Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center has been home to the series since 1992.

Currently, the three major events of the Springfield Arts Council remain the Summer Arts Festival, the Arts in the Classroom program, and the The Broadway and Beyond Series.

The Springfield Arts Council earns income through:
• the rental of costumes from its "Costume Collection"
• sale of advertising space in program books
• concession sales at the Summer Arts Festival
• ticket sales to Broadway and Beyond Series events
• school fees (75% share) for Arts in the Classroom programs
• an interest-bearing checking account

In addition, the Springfield Arts Council sponsors a "Salute Benefit Auction" fundraising event, held annually each March. Proceeds from "Salute" support the programs of the Springfield Arts Council. In previous years, other fund-raising events have included tribute shows to various composers, "Salute to Spring" in the downtown Arcade and at the Greek Church, a New Year's Eve Party at Upper Valley Mall, "Gaier's Designer Showhouse," a Chocolate Extravaganza (also known as the "Sweet Fair"), a Polo Invitational March sponsored by the Springfield Polo Club, a "Festival of Flowers" plant sale, and a "Doors of Springfield" poster sale.

The Springfield Arts Council currently employs a staff of five:
• a full-time Executive Director (J. Chris Moore)
• a full-time Director of Development (William C. Schwartz)
• a full-time Director of Marketing and Communications (Tim Rowe)
• a part-time Education and Special Services Coordinator  (Sonya Ryhal)
• a part-time Office Administrator (Julia Berkhofer)

(Click here for staff email addresses.)

The Springfield Arts Council offices are located at 117 South Fountain Avenue in the heart of downtown Springfield, Ohio. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

(Revised January 2008)