This morning, the Franklin County Commissioners approved their annual grant to the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) to the tune of $4 million. Last year was GCAC’s 50
th anniversary, and the commissioners have supported the organization and the artists with which it works for many years, including to provide access to the arts for people of all cultural backgrounds, economic status, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability.
“The arts are for everyone, and having a thriving local arts and music scene helps make Franklin County into the kind of place that families want to be,” said Board of Commissioners President, Kevin L. Boyce. “Having art in public spaces beautifies our community, and supporting the artists themselves also supports our local economy.”
The Greater Columbus Arts Council produces the free Columbus Arts Festival each summer, and provides grants, residencies, fellowships, workshops, and a host of other resources for organizations and artists in Central Ohio.
“GCAC is an important institution in Franklin County,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “It puts on the downtown Columbus arts Festival each summer, and the funding that we provide allows them to also support hundreds of talented local artists and performers throughout the year.”
This year’s funding will be used to provide grant funding to non-profit arts organizations and individual artists, and to advance the culture of our region through collaboration with artists and arts organizations that educate and engage all audiences in our community.
“The arts attract visitors, and GCAC helps support local performers and visual artists alike,” said Commissioner Erica C. Crawley. “Engagement with the arts is even linked to mental health benefits as well as being part of a well-rounded education for our young people, and public art is part of the lasting cultural legacy of our community.”
In addition to supporting local artists, GCAC also recently published a report called the
State of Public Art for Columbus and Franklin County that was partially funded by the commissioners last year and which analyses the current public art ecosystem and where Central Ohio stands in relation to its peer cities when it comes to art in public spaces.
“Franklin County is so fortunate to have county commissioners who understand the value that the arts bring to our community,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “The county’s investment in the creative sector through GCAC supports nearly 11,000 jobs, helps people of all ages experience the arts, encourages dialogue and the sharing of diverse voices and perspectives, and builds a culturally and economically vibrant community where the arts matter to all of us.”
To learn more about GCAC, the Columbus Arts Festival, or about artist grants, visit
GCAC.org.