A Message to the Rye Community on the Future of RAC

Dear Neighbors,

The Rye Arts Center has long been a place where creativity thrives, where children discover their talents, and where our community comes together to celebrate the arts. As we move further into a technology-driven world, the need for spaces that foster creativity, imagination, and hands-on artistic expression is more important than ever—especially for our children.

Our planned expansion will allow us to provide even more opportunities for young minds to engage with the arts. Whether through music, visual arts, theater, or emerging creative technologies, the Rye Arts Center helps balance the screen-heavy world kids are growing up in by offering a place for them to create, collaborate, and express themselves in meaningful ways.

Addressing Community Concerns

We understand that any expansion brings questions, and we have taken proactive steps to address them:

• Parking & Traffic: We hired an independent engineering firm—at our own expense—to carefully analyze parking and traffic. We are ALL motivated to have the right number of parking spots. Additionally, our new pull-in lane will greatly improve drop-off efficiency and reduce congestion, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.
• Design: We appreciate community input and will continue to reflect feedback as we move forward. Right now, our focus is on securing the necessary zoning approvals, but we are committed to ensuring that the final design fits harmoniously into the fabric of Rye.

Before criticizing a project like this, I encourage community members to take a step back and ask: Are you questioning this for the right reasons? Put yourself in the shoes of families with young children—families who will be part of our town for decades to come. Rye is a special place because of the investment we make in our future, and that includes giving our kids the space to explore, learn, and grow through the arts.

This expansion is about more than just a building—it’s about investing in our children’s futures. In an age of screens and digital distractions, we are committed to ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of their development. We ask for your support in this rezoning effort so we can continue to provide a space where creativity and self-expression flourish for generations to come.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to building this future together.

Sincerely,

Hayley Nivelle