GCAC’s Marketing & Communications department is to encourage the practice and appreciation of the arts in Columbus through marketing and communications initiatives; to promote GCAC programs, events and services; to develop external and internal communications materials; to manage media relations and Web site development; and to facilitate dynamic partnerships between the business and arts communities in greater Columbus.

Business Arts Partnership Awards

In March, GCAC awarded three businesses with a 2008 Business Arts Partnership Award for their exemplary support of the arts as part of GCAC’s annual meeting at COSI Columbus. Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced the 2008 winners. National City, nominated by CAPA, CATCO and the Phoenix Theatre Circle for Children, received the award in the Large Business category. Cameron Mitchell Catering Company, nominated by BalletMet Columbus, received the award in the Medium Business category. GRIP Technology, nominated by the Columbus Museum of Art and the Westerville Symphony, received the award in the Small Business category.

Jerry Jurgensen, CEO of Nationwide, was the keynote speaker of this year’s event. GCAC also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the awards with a special video presentation produced by the Emmy Award-winning team behind WOSU Public Media’s ArtZine.

The Business Arts Partnership Awards recognize the business community’s support of the arts and its impact on Columbus’ cultural and arts organizations. Thirty businesses were nominated by local arts and nonprofit organizations for this year’s awards. Each business chosen for a Business Arts Partnership award received an original work of art by a local artist. National City received Bruce Robinson’s Jacob’s Ladder. Cameron Mitchell Catering Company received Curtis Goldstein’s On the Corner of Parsons and Town Streets. GRIP Technology received Dawson Kellog’s liquid black.

Photo courtesy of The Wexner Center for the Arts.