In May 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 Summer Arts Festival was created to provide summer activities for the community and arts activity for local arts organizations during their down 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.

In 1974, the organization hired a full-time Executive Director (J. Chris Moore) to provide continuity for the group and the arts festival, to work with the council in the development of programming, and to organize fundraising efforts.

In 1975, the Springfield Arts Council began its Arts in the Classroom program with a month- long "Appalachian Experience" at Northridge Elementary School and several week-long poetry residences funded by the Ohio Arts Council.

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 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 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, until the Clark State Performing Arts Center was opened in downtown Springfield in 1993. In recent years, the name was changed to the Broadway and Beyond Series with Season Extras and continues to be the premier series of touring arts attractions in Clark County.

The Springfield Arts Council has sponsored four affiliate artist residences underwritten by London, Ohio's Pantasote Company; Gem Savings Association; and the Sears-Roebuck Foundation. Each was effective as a quality "arts outreach" program, as was "Kaleidoscope", a hands-on creative arts workshop sponsored here in August, 1982, during the 1988 Summer Arts Festival, and in May, 1994, by Hallmark Cards. The Springfield Arts Council also researched and published a downtown walking tour of Springfield Architecture. In 1992, it hosted a visit of Artrain with an exhibit of antique toys. The Springfield Arts Council has, in the past, received support from the City of Springfield's general operating fund and the Clark County Board of Commissioner's Federal Revenue Sharing Fund. It annually receives support from the Ohio Arts Council, and from local foundations, businesses, and individuals, along with passing the hat during intermission at all Summer Arts Festival performances.

The Council earns revenue by renting costumes, selling advertising space in its Summer Arts Festival and Broadway and Beyond Series program books, selling concessions and artist merchandise, and raffle sales at the Summer Arts Festival. The largest income producer continues to be ticket sales to Broadway and Beyond Series events. Arts in the Classroom is funded in part by grants from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and school fees, which represent approximately 75% of the cost. A Springfield Arts Council Endowment is managed by The Springfield Foundation, with interest from the endowment helping to support the annual budget.

In addition, the Springfield Arts Council conducts several fund-raising events. Past events have included tribute shows to various composers, 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 Match sponsored by the Springfield Polo Club, a "Festival of Flowers" plant sale, a "Doors of Springfield" poster sale, and an extensive Salute Benefit Auction held each March.

In recent years, several fundraising events have been added to Summer Arts Festival weekends, including a Parrothead Party in the Park (Jimmy Buffett style), A Rhythm and Ribs Fest, and the Sip of Summer Wine and Beer Tasting.

The Springfield Arts Council is active within the Springfield/Clark County community by involvement with the Sister City Program – Wittenberg, Germany, and coordinates entertainment services for the annual Culture Fest and Holiday in the City.

In 1999, the Summer Arts Festival was honored by the Library of Congress to participate in the Local Legacy Program. The 1999 Summer Arts Festival was documented by photos, news articles, recordings, etc. and become part of the Library of Congress.

In 2004, the first phase of the Veteran’s Park Renovation Project was completed with the addition of an east comfort station to house concessions, public restrooms and a hospitality terrace. In 2005, the second phase of the project was completed which included a new stage and lighting canopy, orchestra and reserved seating pad, a new building for production control with a Sponsor Deck, and asphalt paths and handicapped seating pads throughout the Grand Lawn area. The final phase of the project, including concessions, public restrooms, a hospitality terrace, and a Festival office on the west side of the amphitheater, was completed in 2010.

The Springfield Arts Council currently employs:
• Executive Director - David A. White, III
• Marketing and Communications Director - Tim Rowe
• Managing Director - Sarah V. Michelson
• Education and Special Services Coordinator - Sonya Ryhal
• Special Projects Director - Kyrsten M. Walton
• Office Administrator - Julie A. Zerkle
• Director Emeritus - J. Chris Moore
   Click here for staff email addresses

The Springfield Arts Council’s office is located at 117 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield, OH, and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(Revised January 2013)

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