COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Intel and other major developments reshape our landscape, the focus is shifting from just building new homes and infrastructure to now beautifying our communities.
What You Need To Know
- The Greater Columbus Arts Council is using public art to beautify communities as the city undergoes significant development
- The council’s mural assistance grant program has funded 81 murals across the city and county, with over half now complete and plans to continue more public art
- The Arts Council emphasizes how public art can attract new residents to certain communities
Artist Dan Gerdeman is bringing color to the Columbus Relief building on the city’s south side with a large-scale mural.
Gerdeman’s mural is part of a larger initiative by the Greater Columbus Arts Council that utilizes public art to make the city more aesthetic.
According to Jamie Goldstein, chief creative officer with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the council launched a mural assistance grant program to address black wall spaces in the community. Since its inception, the program has funded 81 murals across the city and county, with over half now complete.
As major projects like Intel transforming the region, Goldstein emphasizes the growing importance of public art.
“Public art can encourage people to want to live in a specific neighborhood,” she said. “The neighborhoods that have public art are going to be the ones that that are attractive to those new residents.”
And the Arts Council’s work is far from over.
“We'll be doing more murals but also sculptures and other kinds of public art throughout the city,” said Goldstein.
For Gerdeman, art isn’t just a passion, but a way to leave a lasting impression.
“I think people need to see something to maybe make them smile,” he says, “like why a bunch of hearts and flowers. But I can't think of anything more pleasant, actually.”
