In case you didn’t know, the Columbus Arts Festival has a program that enables “super fans” to show their support and enjoy VIP benefits while helping to raise money for the Arts Festival.
You may have heard about our Friends of the Festival VIP program, but you may not have known that it is a fundraiser. Each year the Greater Columbus Arts Council sets out to raise all the money needed to produce the award-winning Columbus Arts Festival. The event budget is nearly $1 million dollars and the Festival receives no public funds.
Tom Katzenmeyer, president of the Greater Columbus Arts Council
Like any good nonprofit arts agency we reach out to our community’s businesses for sponsorships to produce our event. Corporations like American Electric Power, our presenting sponsor, are great about stepping up and supporting Festival programming such as Hands On Activities, the Children’s Gallery and Sign Your Art, just to name a few. Other critical needs like security, electric and water are a little harder sell to corporate sponsors. That’s where you come in as a Friend of the Festival.
Your donation helps us build a city within a city for nearly 300 artists from 37 states and three countries to Columbus and 450,000 patrons and create a one-of-a-kind art buying experience. In addition to these critical services, as a Friend of the Festival you help bring performances in dance, music, theater and spoken word to six stages throughout the Festival and give our local emerging artists a boost through reduced booth fees and training sessions. Becoming a Friend of the Festival means you are helping make this free event happen for the city of Columbus.
Of course, like any good fundraiser, we aim to give you an incredible experience in return for your patronage. Amenities like private air-conditioned restrooms, a shaded VIP lounge area (thanks to PNC) and free water at any beverage location all make this welcome-to-summer event more enjoyable. Friends of the Festival also get VIP seating at evening music events, package storage (to make your shopping experience more convenient) and more.
I hope you will consider donating to the Columbus Arts Festival and investing in our efforts to keep the Festival free and open to everyone.
— Tom Katzenmeyer, connect with Tom on LinkedIn.
