Improving the Community with the Rye Arts Center Expansion

When our family moved to Rye almost 13 years ago, our realtor recommended we check out the Rye Arts Center. My daughters quickly immersed themselves in piano lessons, acting workshops, plein air painting, vocal lessons, Minecraft classes, and so on. Later, they became CITs and summer counselors for the RAC’s summer week long camps. The Arts Center was a haven for them, allowing time and space for creative expression.

Not only does the RAC offer incredible programming from preschool age to retirees, from fledgling artists to those fine tuning their techniques, there are also performing arts shows, gallery openings, lectures and other special events all open to the public.

As a Board member for the past 9 years, I have had the privilege to witness how the RAC comes to life. It is incredible to see the breadth and depth of offerings. The staff’s enthusiastic passion for the arts resonates in every corner of this intimate center. But, it requires tremendous ingenuity to juggle limited classroom space. While the existing building has plenty of charm, it also has faces challenges like other buildings of the same age. An extension of the Rye Arts Center would provide better space utilization, an expansion of class offerings, and increased public space for the whole community to enjoy. I strongly support the expansion of Rye Arts Center.