Category: Tom Katzenmeyer
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Why GCAC Endorses a Yes Vote on Issue 47
In my experience, two things that people often reference when they talk about great cities are the arts and mass transit. This year we have a once-in-a-generation chance to significantly improve Columbus’ public transit system and prepare the city for growth, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. In September, the Greater Columbus…
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The Collective Power of Artists is Crucial at the Polls
Growing up in a politically active family, the importance of democracy was ingrained in me from an early age. My parents were staunch advocates for civic engagement, and dinner table discussions often revolved around local and national politics. This early exposure sparked my lifelong commitment to participating in the democratic…
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Columbus Arts Festival: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
This is my favorite time of year. By the end of this week I will be at the Columbus Arts Festival enjoying the results of more than a year of hard work by the Greater Columbus Arts Council team. At GCAC, we know that there is always room to improve…
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I Am Proud to See GCAC Embrace Community Grantmaking
I Am Proud to See GCAC Embrace Community Grantmaking We recently announced that GCAC is engaging the community in the application review and funding process for two of our grant programs, Artist Projects and Project Support. It is my hope that you will join us in this…
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The State of Public Art in Greater Columbus Today
We recently published a State of Public Art report for Columbus and Franklin County and I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about it. First, a little context. Last summer we started the process for developing a countywide public art plan. We did this with the support…
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We Heard You: Changes Coming to GCAC Grants and Community Engagement
The Greater Columbus Arts Council has exciting changes coming to how we serve our artists, arts organizations and arts administrators through our funding programs. This summer we did extensive constituent research to learn what artists and arts organizations need from us. Our goal was, and is, to reimagine how we…
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Celebrating 50 years by looking ahead to the next 50
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. For me, and the team at GCAC, this is not a time to reflect back, but to look forward. This is an ideal moment for us to pause and take a thoughtful look at our funding programs. After years…
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The Columbus Arts Festival is back!
After two years of having to announce the cancelation of the live, in-person Columbus Arts Festival, I am excited to be able to invite everyone back to the riverfront for my favorite event: the Columbus Arts Festival. AND we are celebrating its 60th Anniversary! To officially open the festival, we…
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Creative industries still struggling, far from recovery
I doubt it will come as a surprise to anyone reading this blog that the creative sector was hit significantly harder by the pandemic than other industries in Ohio. The news is based on the results of an economic contribution analysis recently commissioned by Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA)…
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Meet the Jury that will select the first Artists Elevated Award recipients
Next month we will announce the inaugural awardees of Artists Elevated. Two artists will receive $20,000 each. This is a passion project for the Greater Columbus Arts Council. It encompasses several goals that I think are important for the health of the Arts Council and the arts in Columbus—raising private…
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I’m ready to be a tourist again with the arts in Cbus
Today we launched the Columbus Makes Art Passport, a program designed to help Columbusites rediscover the treasures in their own back yard. Tom Katzenmeyer, CEO, president of the Arts Council The program is simple. Pick up a free passport—an actual physical booklet (you can find pick up…
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We are going to invest more in Columbus artists
It is time for the Greater Columbus Arts Council to deepen its private funding pool and build a robust, diverse revenue stream, and it is time for us to raise our level of investment in individual artists. Tom Katzenmeyer, CEO, president of the Arts Council I have…