COLUMBUS, Ohio — Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) will not produce a live Community Arts Partnership event for 2020. Instead, the Arts Council will take nominations for a new award – the Community Arts Innovation Awards. Four recipients will be selected to receive $2,500 each for projects or initiatives (by individuals, artist collectives, organizations and businesses) creating innovative approaches to collaboration and connection during the 2020 pandemic and the protests.
The awards will be presented to innovative arts and cultural projects or initiatives that have addressed the unprecedented and challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or the protests resulting from social injustice, by creating something that helped lift up or provide relief to others in the community.
In addition, the annual Michael B. Coleman Arts Partner award will be presented to Dale Heydlauff, senior vice president of corporate communications for American Electric Power and president of the American Electric Power Foundation, and longtime supporter of the arts in Columbus.
Nominations for the Community Arts Innovation Awards will be open through Monday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. Nominees must be located in Franklin County. Any organization, business or individual can submit a nomination, although self-nominations are not accepted. Nominations are for arts and cultural focused projects/initiatives and must be submitted online through the Community Arts Innovation nomination form.
Nominations will not be accepted in 2020 for Arts Educator, Emerging Arts Leader or Small, Medium or Large Employer.
On Oct. 14, the Arts Council will announce the winners of the Community Arts Innovation Awards, and will release a video honoring Heydlauff’s contributions to the arts in Columbus.
The awards program is supported in part by LBrands Foundation and PNC. Media support is provided by CityScene and WOSU.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org