Celebrating 50 Years with Exciting New Initiatives!

The Columbus Arts Festival, presented by Time Warner Cable will celebrate its 50th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus, June 3, 4 & 5, 2011.  To celebrate this momentous occasion, we’re creating a BIG festival experience—diverse, inclusive and creative with an emphasis on engaging a broader spectrum of the community.

The 2011 celebration will incorporate more community partners—local artists, local collectors and patrons, local restaurants and small businesses.

The overall Festival ambiance and atmosphere will be enhanced through lighting inside and outside tents at night, standing cabaret tables, landscaping throughout the Discovery District including plant and flower placement around stages and special activity tents. The Discovery District—just east of downtown—is home to some of the city’s great cultural institutions and attractions including the Columbus Museum of Art, Thurber House, the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Columbus College of Art & Design and more.

The community can enjoy the history of the Festival at a mini-museum of past Festival artifacts including the 50thAnniversary Festival video and also sneak a peek into the future by highlighting the much-anticipated move back to Columbus’ Riverfront for the 2012 Columbus Arts Festival. The newly revitalized Scioto Mile Park along the river will feature lush green spaces, a charming promenade and mesmerizing water features along with plazas, paths and bikeways.

Following are some of the new and exciting initiatives happening for the 50th anniversary:

Emerging Artists

This new program has been designed to help promote Central Ohio artists who are new to presenting their work at festivals. Ten artists from Central Ohio were selected by the Festival jurors and in addition to a lower booth fee they will also receive assistance from Festival staff on how to best present their work to the public and an opportunity to display their work at the Festival Patron Party.

Savor the Arts with Dine Originals

In partnership with Dine Originals, Savor the Arts will showcase cuisine as an art form and bring gourmet fare back to the Festival. The Savor the Arts tent will feature special menus developed by local restaurants, wine and beer tastings and more. Participating restaurants include: Barcelona, Barrio, Black Creek Bistro, Deepwood, Due Amici, The Elevator, G. Michaels, Katalina's Corner Cafe, Mozarts, The Refectory, Rigsby's, Skillet, Tasi's and The Top.

All Hands On Art

The Columbus Arts Festival is expanding the Hands-On Activity offerings with the addition of All Hands On Art, a hands-on area for "big kids," that will be open noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon-6 p.m Sunday. A perfect gathering place for young professionals' groups or friends, Art Carnival games and performances presented by local independent arts groups, nostalgic arts activities like Play Doh and Lite Brite and more will be offered in conjunction with a Signature Bar offering the 50th Festival Signature Belvedere vodka drink, Liquid Art (Bar and nostalgic arts activities open Friday and Saturday night only, 6-10 p.m.).

Connect a Million Minds Day

Connect a Million Minds Day presented by Time Warner Cable on Saturday, June 4, will explore creativity and imagination through the lens of science. Activities will showcase the different aspects of art and science with the help of local arts organizations and artists who are committed to helping Festival patrons explore the science behind art and the art behind science. A wide range of art forms will be represented including visual arts, dance, music, theatre and more.

Commemorative Print

As part of the celebration and to engage the central Ohio community, local artists from Franklin and surrounding counties were called to submit designs for the Columbus Arts Festival Commemorative Print to help capture the spirit and vibrancy of the arts in Columbus—and represent the impact the Columbus Arts Festival has had on the city over the past 50 years. The top design by Amy Neiwirth was selected by a public vote. Neiwirth's winning design for 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print is titled Columbus in Color and it will be unveiled for the public in early May.

The Art of Collecting

In late February a panel of art professionals and collectors gathered to provide tips on how to purchase art and why Festivals make good options for beginning or building an art collection. Check out the Art of Collecting page for great  tips on buying art and building a collection presented by the panelists.

Expose Yourself

To art, that is! Juried artists as well as local artists will demonstrate how they create their work at the Expose Yourself demonstration tent.

Festival Mobile App

The new Festival Mobile App will allow visitors to locate artists, food vendors and menus, watch the latest weather report and much more. The app will also be used throughout 2011 for the festival’s move to the Riverfront, keeping patrons up to date with the new layout, timeframe and special events. Coming Soon!

VIP Package

The VIP Lounge will be open to VIP ticket purchasers to come and relax in comfortable atmosphere at the Festival. A copy of the Commemorative print, a Festival t-shirt, comfortable seating, free water and snacks, private restrooms, personal shopping assistance and other VIP amenities are available. VIP packages will be sold prior to and during the festival for $95, $170 for a couple and $350 for a group of four.