Creative Arts Policy Initiative

Confronted by the challenges of changing times for arts, culture and creative industries in Central Ohio, City Council formed the Creative Columbus Policy Steering Committee to research and offer policy recommendations to Council. The committee was chaired by Wayne Lawson, former Executive Director of the Ohio Arts Council.

City Council’s most visible commitment to top quality arts and culture amenities for Columbus residents and visitors is its creation and continued support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). In 1973, City Council set aside funds to be administered in a grants program by GCAC, which at the time totaled $50,000. In 2006, Council allocated nearly $3.9 million to arts and cultural organizations through GCAC.

Members of the Creative Columbus Policy Steering Committee were:
Wayne Lawson, chair
Margaret Wyszomirski, staff
Jan Allen
Beverly Bethge
David Chesebrough
Chad Jester
Mary Jo Green
Stephanie Hightower
Lisa Hinson
Jeffery Lyttle
Nannette Maciejunes
Bob Milbourne
Jerry Saunders
Priscilla Tyson

Read the Executive Summary (pdf)

Read the final Full Report : "The Creative Economy, Leveraging the Arts, Culture and Creative Community for a Stronger Columbus." (pdf)

Councilmember Priscilla Tyson hosted a presentation of the Creative Columbus Arts Policy Taskforce Report and recommendations on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 3:00 pm at the Columbus College of Art and Design.