Guidelines & Eligibility

The Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Big Arts Night is a blow-out celebration for everyone who loves the arts–from artists to arts organizations, from individual patrons to business supporters. 

Big Arts Night will be presented Thursday, Nov. 2, from 5:00-8 p.m. at the Southern Theatre and Westin Great Southern Columbus. The Awards presentation will be followed by a party that includes arts experiences, food, drink and the chance to reconnect and engage with award winners and arts friends. Registration for this event will open in Sept.

The only awards we are accepting nominations for in 2023 are the Dale E. Heydlauff Community Arts Innovation Awards. The Michael B. Coleman Arts Partner and Arts Educator Awards have been selected by the GCAC Board of Trustees. The Employer and Emerging Arts Leader Awards have been sunsetted for 2023. All award winners will be announced in Sept.

Dale E. Heydlauff Community Arts Innovation Award: Two $5,000 awards presented to innovative projects or initiatives that have used the arts to address larger community issues of diversity, inclusion, equity or social justice. Projects completed since September 2022 are eligible for this award.

Nominations for this award are now closed.

Nominations for the Columbus Makes Art Excellence Awards are for nonprofit organizations and projects funded by the Arts Council and are by invitation only.

All Nominations are reviewed and award recipients selected by the Greater Columbus Arts Council Board of Trustees.