The Ripon Arts League is now entering its 30th year as a sponsor of quality musical entertainment for the Ripon community and beyond. The RAL was founded in 1993 by a group of community members who wanted to bring a variety of musical performers to Ripon and by so doing promote the arts. The first concert was free to the public and underwritten by local restaurateur John Mangelos and the Townsend Opera Players of Modesto. The first night, 120 people became members of the RAL. Two other concerts were also presented that year.

 

The RAL was initially co-sponsored by the Ripon Unified School District and the Ripon Chamber of Commerce. They provided a venue for the performances, a telephone number and assisted in producing the programs for the concerts. The RAL became a separate entity in 1994 and is now recognized as a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization by the IRS, Fed Tax ID #20-0383560.