The research, conducted by Austin-based analysts TXP, Inc., is the first in-depth look at how music contributes to Columbus’ economy. It accounts for everything from concerts and venues to retail, recording, and tourism—and the results are significant.

Here’s what stood out:

• $498 million in direct music industry output
• $840 million from music-influenced tourism
• More than 1,500 direct jobs in music, plus another 7,700 in related fields
• Over $5.6 million in city tax revenue

The study also outlines ideas to keep the momentum going, like investing in artist support, creating a dedicated music and entertainment district, and building up the infrastructure to help Columbus compete with bigger music cities.

“This report confirms what many in our community already feel – music is more than entertainment; it’s a major catalyst for jobs, tourism and quality of life,” said Bruce Garfield, executive director of Music Columbus.

With strong local talent, a growing network of venues, and a younger population that’s hungry for live experiences, Columbus is well-positioned for growth. This data could help make the case for turning that potential into a long-term strategy.

If you’re interested in checking out the full impact study, you can do so by heading over to musiccolumbus.com.

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If you know what those things are, you’re already freaking out a little. And if you don’t? You might still want to beam yourself to Lancaster to check out the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio’s new exhibition: Star Trek & Worlds Beyond.

Nearly 150 original props, costumes, and artifacts from Star Trek will be on view at DACO at the end of May, thanks to a collaboration with the Paramount Archive and the Trumbull County Historical Society’s budding Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy Arts.

That means you can see everything from sleek Starfleet insignia to full-on Vulcan regalia.

Plus, you can take a deep dive into the design, merchandising, and cultural impact of one of the most enduring franchises in pop culture history.

Curator Randall Thropp (who manages the Paramount Pictures Costume & Prop Archive) says this show is a first for him. “For the first time in any of my exhibits, I’ve chosen to showcase in the Lower Gallery toys, comic books and other merchandising materials that support the longevity of the Star Trek universe,” said Thropp. In other words, this exhibit isn’t just about what was on the screen—it’s about how Star Trek lived beyond it.

And it doesn’t stop at props

There’s a full lineup of special programming this summer, including talks on midcentury modern design in the show’s aesthetic, behind-the-scenes stories from newly acquired screen-used props, and even a Star Trek jewelry-making workshop using Shrinky Dinks. (Yes, seriously.)

Feeling extra nerdy? Dress up and head to the Star Trek: The Motion Picture director’s cut screening at the Drexel Theatre in Columbus on June 10, where local Trekkies and experts will be there to dissect classic episodes and talk sci-fi legacy.

“This is a rare chance to celebrate the legacy of a franchise that continues to inspire,” said DACO’s executive director Jason Crabill. Whether you’re a longtime Trekkie or just here for the alien crafts, Star Trek & Worlds Beyond is making space for everyone.

Star Trek & Worlds Beyond will run from May 31, 2025 to August 31, 2025 at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster. Admission is free. For more info, head to decartsohio.org.

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Titled A Journey of Iceland: From Darkness to Light, the exhibition is a collaboration between Ohio-based writer and poet Erin Boggs, Icelandic artist Einar Örn Benediktsson, and musician Kaktus Einarsson. Through a fusion of visual art, poetry, and music, the exhibit explores Iceland’s striking landscapes, unpredictable weather, and vibrant culture.

Boggs, who has long been inspired by travel, music, and art, first visited Iceland in 2022 to see Damon Albarn perform. That trip led her to connect with Einar Örn, a former member of the legendary Icelandic band The Sugarcubes, who was exhibiting his own artwork at the time.

The two began collaborating on this project, which has since grown into a multi-sensory experience designed to transport visitors to the rugged beauty of Iceland. The exhibition first debuted in Reykjavík before making its way here to Dublin.

I had the privilege of meeting up with Erin and Einar while they were beginning the installation process earlier this week.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the installation process was witnessing Einar’s spontaneous approach to the space. While setting up the exhibit, he created additional artwork on the spot to enhance the immersive feel of the exhibition.

A fireplace became a display for a newly crumpled drawing, and a sink in one of the rooms was similarly transformed into an artistic focal point. His dedication to making the exhibit feel organic and alive—blending his work seamlessly into the space—demonstrated a deep commitment to storytelling through art. It felt almost compulsive, as if creating was something he simply had to do.

The show will host an opening reception on Saturday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where visitors can meet Erin Boggs, Einar Örn, and Kaktus Einarsson in person. This is a rare opportunity to experience a truly immersive blend of art, literature, and music while engaging with the creators themselves.

For anyone who has ever dreamed of experiencing the awe-inspiring landscapes and culture of Iceland, A Journey of Iceland: From Darkness to Light offers a unique opportunity to do just that—without ever leaving Ohio.

For more info, head over to dublinarts.org/journeyoficeland.

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Joan Madison, with over three decades of experience in fashion design, is known for her high-fashion evening wear, showcased at events like Columbus Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and Syracuse University, Madison has worked with esteemed brands and currently runs her own bridal salon in Columbus. During her residency, she plans to explore Dresden’s renowned textile collections and connect with local designers.

Lydia Smith, an interdisciplinary artist, focuses on themes of time, place, and death in her work. Her ongoing project, Burial Sites, examines how landscapes of death reflect community values. Smith, who holds degrees from Rice University and The Ohio State University, has exhibited her work across the country and completed numerous artist residencies. In Dresden, she will research local archives and landmarks to develop a new body of work exploring the concept of ruins.

This residency program is part of GCAC’s long-running Artist Exchange Program, now in its 29th year. The exchange is a collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony and is a key part of Columbus’s Sister City relationship with Dresden. Every year, GCAC sends two Columbus artists to Dresden and welcomes two German artists to our city, providing them with everything they need to thrive creatively—from studio space to community connections.

Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of GCAC, shared his excitement about this year’s winners, saying, “We can’t wait to see how Joan and Lydia are inspired by their time in such a beautiful and culturally rich city like Dresden.” With Joan and Lydia joining the ranks, 55 Columbus artists have now taken part in this incredible exchange, showcasing the vibrant cultural offerings of our city on an international stage.

The 2025 Dresden Artist Exchange Program is a highly selective opportunity, with artists being invited to apply based on their accomplishments and previous awards. This year’s jurors included Dorit Fratzscher, Benedict Scheurer, and Jayme Staley, who had the tough job of selecting just two artists for this prestigious program.

Joan and Lydia will be heading to Dresden sometime between March 1 and November 30, 2025, where they’ll spend 60 to 90 days fully immersed in their work. GCAC provides them with a stipend, lodging, studio space, and travel accommodations, ensuring they have everything they need to create their best work. While in Dresden, these artists will act as ambassadors for both GCAC and Columbus, representing the creativity and cultural spirit of our city abroad.

For more information about the Greater Columbus Arts Council and their mission to support and advance the arts in Columbus, visit www.gcac.org.

Safe travels and happy creating to Joan and Lydia—we can’t wait to see what you bring back from Dresden!

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If you’ve never seen West Side Story (seriously, where have you been?), this is your chance to experience the magic live, with the greatest score ever written and dance numbers that will leave you breathless.

This iconic musical first hit Broadway in 1957, and it’s been a classic ever since.

Set on the gritty streets of 1950s New York, the musical tells the tale of rival gangs (the Jets and the Sharks) clashing and a love story that’s as intense as it gets. You’ll be humming along to hits like “America,” “Tonight,” and “Maria”—and let’s be real, “I Feel Pretty” is going to be stuck in your head for days. The show will be performed with both English and Spanish captions.

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What makes this production extra special is that it’s a collaboration between some of Columbus’s most talented performers and creators.

“Combining the creative talents of some of the city’s leading performing arts organizations to offer this quintessential piece of American art is something we’re all highly anticipating,” CAPA President & CEO Chad Whittington said. “CAPA is proud to be a partner in providing this unique opportunity for our audiences.”

With CAPA, BalletMet, Columbus Symphony, and Opera Columbus on board, you know it’s going to be a night to remember.

“We’re so pumped to be part of this project,” said Sue Porter, Executive Director of BalletMet. And honestly, who wouldn’t be excited?

Tickets start at just $31.25, which is a steal for a show of this caliber. You can snag yours now at the CBUSArts Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, online at www.CBUSArts.com, or by phone at (614) 469-0939.

Featured image via Facebook.

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The announcement came from the Sundance Institute, which opened submissions for host locations in May 2024 and closed the process in June. The evaluation process considered each city’s infrastructure, community values, event-hosting capabilities, and their ability to sustain and support the ever-growing Sundance Film Festival community of independent artists and audiences.

The Finalists

The six cities that have made it to the final phase are:

The Sundance Film Festival will continue to be held in its traditional location of Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, for the next two years (2025 and 2026). However, from 2027 onward, the location could change based on this rigorous selection process.

Why Cincinnati?

“For over a generation, with consistent support from the City of Cincinnati, Film Cincinnati has positioned the Cincinnati region as a go-to community for movies,” said Pureval. “We know how to nurture creative talent and the skilled workers behind the scenes, and we know how to celebrate them when they are on the big screen. Easily accessible to so much of the U.S. population, the Queen City is also a big league city for broader tourism, handling major events with professionalism and capacity. Both Cincinnati and the Sundance Film Festival are on the precipice of great change and we look forward to partnering and evolving together.”

Cincinnati’s robust support for the film industry and its strategic location, easily accessible to much of the U.S. population, make it a strong contender. The city’s ability to host major events and its professional capacity to manage large-scale tourism underscore its potential as a future home for the Sundance Film Festival.

The Next Steps

Members of the Sundance Institute selection committee will visit each of the finalist cities in the coming weeks to further explore the possibilities of hosting the festival. This in-depth evaluation will involve engaging with local leaders, arts advocates, film commissioners, and other stakeholders to understand each city’s unique offerings and capabilities.

Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair, and Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO, expressed their enthusiasm:

“For over 40 years, Sundance has supported, sustained, and helped shine an essential spotlight on independent filmmakers and their work. As we very carefully consider this important decision for our Festival, we believe these six finalists allow us the best opportunity to not only secure a sustainable future for our Festival but also to build upon its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and highlight bold new works of art.”

Looking Ahead

The selection process will continue to be thorough and fair, with the Sundance Institute focusing on how each city can support and enhance the festival’s mission. As Cincinnati competes for this prestigious opportunity, the city’s creative community and local government are eager to showcase their strengths and potential.

For Columbus and the rest of Ohio, having the Sundance Film Festival in Cincinnati would not only be a win for the Queen City but a boost for the entire state’s cultural and economic landscape. If you’re interested in making your support known, IndieWire is currently polling readers about their preferred destination for the festival. You can vote here. The final decision will be announced once the Sundance Institute completes its site visits and evaluations, and the winning city will host the festival beginning in 2027.

The post The Sundance Film Festival Could Be Moving To This Ohio City appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

If you find yourself driving along Riverside Drive, you can’t miss the three giant, vibrant orange snails that have recently taken up residence there. These aren’t just any snails; they are part of a fascinating art installation titled “Dwelling: A Snail’s Journey,” which hails all the way from Milan, Italy.

Crafted by the innovative group of six artists known as Cracking Art, these snail sculptures are not just art pieces; they are conversation starters, inviting us to ponder our connections with the world around us. From May 11 through June 28, the Dublin Arts Council is hosting this unique exhibit, and everyone’s invited to explore its deeper meanings and delightful visuals.

The journey of these snails to Dublin is as intriguing as the artworks themselves.

The vivid orange color of the snails isn’t just chosen at random. In Italy, the snail—or “Chiocciola” as it is called, which also denotes the “@” symbol—is a creature symbolic of communication and gradual progress, reflecting both patience and persistence.

Why snails, you might ask?

The snails’ bright orange hue also holds special significance. Orange is a color often associated with creativity, vitality, and the beauty of changing seasons—emphasizing transition and transformation. This makes the snails not just visually striking but also rich in symbolic meaning.

Visitors to the Dublin Arts Council will not only get to see these marvelous sculptures but also participate in an array of activities planned around the exhibition. From creative prompts and sensory activities to contemplative practices, the gallery aims to engage visitors on multiple levels, inspired by the very nature of snails.

When To See Them For Yourself

So, if you’re intrigued by the intersection of art, nature, and community engagement, don’t miss “Dwelling: A Snail’s Journey.” For more info, head over to dublinarts.org.

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The 2024-2025 lineup is not just any season; it’s a celebration of a decade-long partnership with PNC as the series sponsor for Broadway in Columbus.

And guess what?

They’re bringing the house down with a lineup that includes not one, not two, but five Columbus premieres!

Kicking things off, we have the season headliner that needs no introduction – the revolutionary musical HAMILTON, making its grand return in July of 2025. It’s the kind of show that transforms theater into a pulsating powerhouse of history, hip-hop, and heart. But hold your horses; there’s a whole season of spectacular shows to get through before we can raise a glass to the ten-dollar founding father.

Chad Whittington, the President and CEO of CAPA, couldn’t be happier about the line-up. “We’re excited to bring another great season of the best of Broadway to Columbus. Five Columbus premieres, an appealing cross-section of shows, the return of Hamilton… we look forward to bringing this season to Columbus for our subscribers and all the Broadway fans.”

And honestly, if this doesn’t get your theater-loving heart racing, we need to check your pulse!

The season’s curtain raiser is MJ, the musical that takes you on a moonwalk through the life of Michael Jackson, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. This show, playing in September 2024, is more than just a tribute; it’s a deep dive into the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and it promises to be a spectacle of legendary proportions.

Following MJ, the lineup includes the whimsical high-flying musical Peter Pan, the hilarious and hit-filled & Juliet that flips the script on Romeo and Juliet, and the dazzling Broadway revival of Funny Girl.

The hits keep coming with A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical and the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kimberly Akimbo, a show that’s been described as a “howlingly funny heartbreaker.”

Not to be overshadowed, season options include THE BOOK OF MORMON, a comedy that’s been called “the funniest musical of all time,” and the heartwarming holiday classic, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

Season tickets are already up for grabs for existing subscribers, with new subscription tickets going on sale May 28.

And with prices for the 7-show season package ranging between $332.25-$1019.60 depending on seat location, there’s an option for every budget.

So, what are you waiting for? Join us in celebrating a decade of theatrical wonders with a season that promises laughter, tears, and the undeniable magic of live theater. Visit www.BroadwayinColumbus.com to secure your spot in what’s sure to be a history-making season of shows. Let the show begin!

Featured image of The Ohio Theatre. Photo by Dan Mitchell, Mitchell Multimedia. Courtesy of CAPA.

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The article embarks on a cultural journey through Columbus, spotlighting its rich tapestry of galleries, public art installations, and culinary hotspots that collectively paint a picture of a city deeply invested in the arts and community. One standout mention is the innovative approach of No Place Gallery, founded by Columbus College of Art & Design alum James McDevitt-Stredney. The gallery is celebrated for its eclectic mix of Midwestern artists and international talent, epitomizing the dynamic exchange between local and global art scenes.

Skylab Gallery, a cornerstone of Columbus’s independent art spaces since 1999, is highlighted for its role in nurturing the city’s cultural identity. Not just a gallery, Skylab has become a venue for experimental music. Similarly, the Dream Clinic Project Space is lauded for its unique utilization of a compact, unconventional venue to encourage artistic experimentation.

The article also delves into the Maroon Arts Group’s MPACC Box Park, a creative outdoor space in the Bronzeville neighborhood that fosters community engagement through art, performances, and vegan soul food. This initiative exemplifies how Columbus uses art to transform and uplift communities.

Public art in Columbus receives special attention, with works like Aminah Robinson’s mural “Life in Sellsville 1871–1900” and the whimsical Topiary Garden Park, which reimagines Georges Seurat’s famous painting in topiary form. The piece also celebrates the legacy of Jesse Owens with a bronze sculpture at Ohio Stadium and introduces readers to the interactive digital sculpture “As We Are” at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where visitors can become part of the art.

Columbus’s food scene is depicted as both diverse and flourishing. The article savors the flavors of the city, from the intimate and plant-centric dishes at commune to the authentic Himalayan cuisine at Momo Ghar, a family-owned restaurant praised by Guy Fieri. Chapman’s Eat Market is noted for its global culinary influences, while Parable Café and the Bottle Shop are highlighted for their innovative beverages and commitment to community.

ARTnews has been around since 1902 and is a well-trusted resource for so many. Of course, we Columbus residents know we live in an arts and foodie haven, but the ARTnews feature makes the city a compelling stop for travelers looking to immerse themselves in a vibrant and creative urban experience.

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Curated by the talented Dina Zaman, this exhibition is a vibrant celebration of Bangladeshi culture and artistic expression, set to captivate audiences from February 2 through April 30, 2024.

The exhibition kicks off with an opening reception on Friday, February 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Loann Crane Gallery, conveniently located at 182 E. Long St.

This event presents a perfect opportunity for art lovers and cultural enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Bangladeshi art, meet the artists, and enjoy an evening of cultural discovery.

“Art of Bangladesh” showcases the works of nine incredibly talented artists, each bringing their unique perspective and experience to the canvas. The line-up includes Zakia Sultana, Sabhat Abedin, Razia Suroor, Mosharrat Shams, Sylvia Pandit, Tania Nur Siddique, Mahbuba Yeasmin, Manha Shams, and curator Dina Zaman herself. What binds these artists together, beyond their shared heritage, is their deep-rooted love for Bangladesh and its culture, which they beautifully express through their art.

Dina Zaman, the force behind this exhibition, shares, “Everybody in this exhibition has one thing in common: We are immigrants, and we share one love: Bangladesh.” She adds that the artists, coming from diverse backgrounds such as homemakers, students, and professionals, have united to showcase the vibrant and story-rich art of Bangladesh.

The exhibition is more than just a display of art; it’s a bridge connecting the Columbus community with the rich culture of Bangladesh.

Zaman emphasizes her goal to introduce the local community to the colorful and narrative-driven art of Bangladesh, highlighting the significant role of women in its arts and culture.

For those interested in visiting, the Loann Crane Gallery, named after a dedicated benefactor of arts and social justice in Columbus, operates Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday to Friday by appointment. Since the gallery also serves as a meeting space, visitors are encouraged to contact GCAC at gallery@gcac.org for availability.

Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry! The exhibition will also be available online at gcacgallery.org, allowing art enthusiasts everywhere to experience this unique showcase of Bangladeshi culture.

This exhibition is a testament to the GCAC’s commitment to highlighting art from historically marginalized communities, offering a platform for diverse voices and stories. So, whether you’re a long-time art aficionado or simply curious about the rich cultural fabric of Bangladesh, “Art of Bangladesh” is an exhibition you won’t want to miss.

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