Columbus Launches Historic Collaborative Arts Campaign

Focus on Columbus Artists Highlights Hometown Talent and Culture 

Columbus (Ohio)—Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art is the theme of a sustained five-year campaign to demonstrate the vitality, the innovation and the connectivity within the Columbus arts community. Highlighting the personal stories and artistic ventures of local individual artists from across all disciplines, this unprecedented collaboration between and within the arts, business and philanthropic communities will underscore how deeply ingrained creativity is in the fabric of Columbus.

“We are humbled by the staggering level of support we have seen across Columbus for strengthening our arts and our artists,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “Our musicians, painters, dancers, sculptors, actors and artists of all disciplines have inspiring stories, and we’re excited to tell them across this great community.”

The participation of the artists reflects the pride and appreciation they feel for their home city, and the participation of the corporate community reflects a recognition of the arts’ crucial role in economic development. Meanwhile, the public sector has increased its investments in the arts through an increased share of hotel occupancy taxes from the City of Columbus and Franklin County. For the campaign to be successful, it ultimately will require support, as demonstrated by attendance to arts events and purchases at art galleries and shops, of the general public. The campaign’s call to action will be for the public to experience events where artists and others create the culture of the city.

“The talent and the creativity of our people, including our outstanding artists, is among the secrets to our success,” Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman said. “A 21^st-century city needs to feature visible public art and an empowered arts community along with residents, visitors and businesses who support and patronize the arts.”

Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art will launch this weekend at the Columbus Arts Festival. It will feature a cutting-edge website, columbusmakesart.com, with an interactive calendar that will serve as an all-encompassing, go-to resource for arts events, showings, activities and tickets. Engaging videos of Columbus artists telling their own stories also will be housed on the website. Through 2020, the campaign will be pushed out through digital billboards, movie theaters, concert venues, social and print media, electronic and digital advertising, and public service announcements.

“Columbus’ creative community is united and collaborating like never before,” said Nannette Maciejunes, executive director of the Columbus Museum of Art and chair of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium. “Whether we paint or draw, sing or dance, act or conduct, design or teach, create a sculpture or play an instrument, we are one community, and we will flourish as one community with the generous support of our public, civic and private partners.”

Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art is supported by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium, AEP Ohio, Cardinal Health, PNC Bank, Dispatch Media Group and The Columbus Foundation. Additional in-kind support is provided by Fahlgren Mortine, Griffin Communications, Ologie, Paul Werth Associates and WOSU Public Media.

“Great art does more than beautify and energize a city; it provides a direct economic benefit by creating jobs, attracting investments and stimulating local economies. In addition, because it enhances the quality of life, the arts are an important complement to community development, enriching local amenities and attracting young professionals to our area,” said Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership. “Our business community supports this campaign because we fully appreciate the direct link between art and economic development.”

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The Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.

The Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium brings organization and voice to the city’s major cultural and artistic anchor institutions, with a focus on policy and strategy in both the short term and over the long haul.