Columbus Arts Festival News

July 15, 2011

COLUMBUS ARTS FESTIVAL DISPERSES FUNDS RAISED FOR ARTIST RELIEF AFTER DAMAGING STORM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org

Columbus, OH – The Greater Columbus Arts Council has dispersed money raised for the Columbus Arts Festival Artist Relief Fund to those artists who applied for help after suffering damages from a severe microburst storm during the event on June 4. Thirty-two artist tents were destroyed and 14 artists suffered so much damage to their work and displays that they were unable exhibit for the remainder of the show.

Thousands of dollars were raised for the Relief Fund from an extraordinary outpouring of support from the local community, Festival participants, as well as artists and supporters from around the country who heard about the devastating damage.

“The unexpected storm and resulting damage that impacted so many artists was devastating to everyone involved with the Arts Festival,” said Milt Baughman, GCAC President. “The broad based support for the relief fund demonstrates how much the community values the artists participating and their work.”

A panel of reviewers including an artist unaffected by the storm, Festival Coordinating Committee members and GCAC staff assessed losses from the 12 artists who applied to the relief fund and divided the funds according to need. More than $8,600 was distributed. Funds will go to replacement of tents and displays so that the artists can continue to exhibit at other festivals throughout the summer.

The 2011 Columbus Arts Festival is presented by Time Warner Cable. Additional sponsors are American Electric Power, State Auto, Belvedere Vodka, Bella Giardino Landscaping, Catering by Scott, Coca-Cola, Dine Originals, Fahlgren, Glazer’s, GRID Furnishings, Heineken, Live! Technologies, Orange Barrel, Oscar Mayer, Sherwin Williams, Target, The Westin and ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars. Media sponsors include Alive, Ohio Magazine, WBNS 10TV, WOSU, CD101@102.5FM, WCBE 90.5FM, WMNI/Classic Hits 103.9 FM.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, 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. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.

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