A Message from the President

For GCAC, 2007 was a year to reflect and refocus. However, it was also a year of outstanding action and growth, with new programming and an expanded reach into the community.

Our new strategic plan, released in July, lays a strong foundation for a GCAC that is inclusive, collaborative and dynamic, melding our responsibilities as a facilitator of city funds and a leader of the city’s creative economy. Though this plan sets goals for the next five years, we are committed to reviewing it annually to make sure it continues to meet the needs of both our organization and the cultural community.

Most recently, GCAC has dedicated resources to fostering new audiences for the arts with the creation of the ColumbusArts Card — a discount program for young professionals that encourages them to experience the city’s arts and culture.

We are proud to have partnered with the City of Columbus, Columbus City Council, JP Morgan Chase and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Capitol South on a project with the nationally known Artspace to bring artist live/work spaces to Columbus. Phase two of the project — the Artist Market Survey — began earlier this week. The collaborative nature of this project has gained additional support from Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s office as part of the plans for the 2012 city bicentennial. Columbus is fortunate to have so many community partners coming together for the common good of building the number of live/work spaces for local artists.

Additionally, we have renewed our commitment to individual artists and small arts organizations, which are the foundation of the cultural community. In the fall, we conducted listening sessions with artists to gather their insight for a professional development series that debuted in January. OPPArt (Opportunities for Artists) will help artists learn the business skills they need to succeed. Further, we hosted a two-day symposium, at which Mayor Coleman and Councilmember Kevin Boyce spoke, to look at how the arts and culture can assist with community problem solving.

In all, GCAC’s programs and events directly touched more than 500,000 artists, teachers, students, arts patrons and greater Columbus residents and indirectly touched millions more through marketing efforts and the artists and organizations funded by the Project Support grants, Operating Support grants, Individual Artist Fellowships, Designated Project support and the Franklin County Neighborhood Arts Program grants.

We thank the City of Columbus for supporting the arts and culture in Columbus and for helping to make 2007 a successful year for GCAC and for the arts community. We also thank the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council for their support. And we thank the corporate community, private sector, foundations and individuals who continue to support GCAC and the many outstanding arts and cultural organizations that truly make up a vibrant community we call our own.

Sincerely,
Bryan W. Knicely
GCAC President