Community School of the Arts seeking $5 million to finish fundraising campaign

The Community School of the Arts (CSA) and Institute for the Creative Arts (ISA) has entered its “crowning phase” in fundraising, which includes a possible $5 million request for support from Gov. Sarah Sanders.

School officials hope to soon raise the rest of the funds needed to finish out its school and provide art education for the Fort Smith region.

An email sent to supporters Monday (March 24) asks for signatures to a petition that would support a request to the governor for $5 million in funding for assistance in operations and capital construction.

“Please help us in this request by signing in support of this request,” noted an email from Dr. Rosilee Russell, founder and artistic director. “Your signature of support goes a long way in encouraging our governor and state leadership to fund this request

Arkansas’ first performing and visual arts high school, the Institute for the Creative Arts, opened in Fort Smith in August 2024.

The Arkansas Board of Education gave final approval for the school in 2023. It has 54 students enrolled in ninth through 11th grade. In year two, which will begin in August, the school will add 12th grade. There are about 75 students enrolled for the fall, Russell said. As a public charter school, it is tuition-free and open to all students.

The school is housed in the Community School of the Arts’ new 42,000-square-foot Center for Creative Art building at 1101 Riverfront Drive in Fort Smith, north of the U.S. Marshals Museum. Estimated cost of the building, including construction and furnishings, is about $25 million, Russell has said.

“We’ve raised $14.5 million to date and are operating in our new facility — both CSA and ICA,” Russell said. “… We have begun the final phase of the campaign to raise about $5 million in capital costs and the remaining $5 (million) to $6 million in operating costs, which will help us with startup costs as we grow enrollment for a new school and build an organization that will be sustainable.”

Funding is needed to ensure the necessary resources are available to keep the center and its programs on firm financial footing, according to fundraising literature. The theater in the building needs to be finished, and financial support is needed for the capital project, a brochure on the “crowning phase” states.

“Completion of this section will allow the dance and theater programs to move from their temporary spaces and enable the community to enjoy a variety of performances, lectures, and other activities,” according to the school.

Included in this section of the facility are a 350-seat theater and performance space, two dance studios, a black box theater, costume lab, green room, set building shop, performer dressing rooms, and faculty artists offices.

“In addition to capital support, funding for furniture, equipment, and operations is needed over the next three years,” notes the brochure.

The crowning phase campaign seeks to raise $5 million in funding for the capital project, $1.5 million for furnishings and equipment, $1.65 million for operating expenses for year one, $1.5 for operating expenses for year two, and $1.35 million for operating expenses for year three with a total goal of $11 million for the campaign.

Leadership is continuing to work with consultant Dr. Matt Beem with Kansas City, Mo.-based Kinetic Fundraising. Russell also said the campaign cabinet is looking into many funding sources in Arkansas and beyond for additional funds.

“We have a wonderful team of folks in addition to all of our donors who have given to make this entire project possible,” Russell said. “We’re excited about this final phase of the campaign and expect to move forward quickly in our fundraising so that we can complete the facility over the next several months. There are lots of people across the country who just love the arts and want to support it. We are reaching out everywhere.”