Arts Center Task Force Receives Award at Richland City Council Meeting

Arts Center Task Force (ACTF) was honored at Tuesday’s Richland City Council meeting by the City of Richland Arts Commission, receiving the STAR (Supporting the Arts in Richland) Award for their outstanding contribution and support of the arts in 2021.

“Over the past two years, many of our performing arts groups faced the threat of folding with live performances shut down and the lack of any infrastructure,” said Jeff Kissel, chair of the Richland Arts Commission. “Thus, ACTF pivoted to Support the Arts in Richland, providing funds and digital capabilities to help those local arts groups survive.”

In 2020, ACTF raised funds and provided grants for struggling visual artists. In 2021, they redoubled their support, helping performing artists through creating performance videos, live streaming of events, and videotaping auditions for the Mid-Columbia Symphony’s Young Artists Competition. In October 2021, ACTF remodeled a former broadcasting studio in Richland to provide much-needed space for rehearsals, meetings, displays, volunteers, and storage. The space has also become home to the ACTF Digital Studio, which offers audio, visual, streaming, and podcast space and services.

Arts Center Task Force continues to work with city leadership and the Richland Public Facilities District to identify a site for a Performing Arts Center that will provide the utmost benefit for citizens, artists, and the city itself.

​Kissel concluded his presentation by stating, “We, the City of Richland, recognize Arts Center Task Force as a Richland STAR, not only for their tireless efforts in supporting the dream of a world-class performing arts center to the Tri-Cities, but for their selfless support of Tri-Citizens in the worst of times, in the ways they need it the most.”

ACTF Chairman Steven Wiley, Executive Director Phinney Brown, and Fundraising Chair Julie Wiley were present to accept the award. The organization was nominated by Richland resident Joyce McClanahan.

To learn more about the mission and progress of Arts Center Task Force, visit their website at www.artscentertaskforce.com.