Columbus Standard

The 2022–23 cycle of Exhibit Columbus launches on June 14–15 with a public event that will shape how this dynamic program will explore compelling ideas to empower communities to make strategic investments in architecture, art, and design that will increase economic, social, and cultural resilience. With a team of influential curators, designers, architects, economists, preservationists, and municipal leaders, Exhibit Columbus seeks to reframe the international biennial concept to create greater local meaning and lasting resonance. 

Launched in 2016 as a program of the nonprofit organization Landmark Columbus Foundation, Exhibit Columbus is a internationally-recognized exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that celebrates the modern legacy of Columbus through a two-year cycle of events that will take place: Symposium (October 2022), Design Presentations (February 2023), and culminating in the Exhibition (August through November 2023). 

As part of this kickoff event, Exhibit Columbus announces two municipal partnerships: One with the City of Columbus through a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant; and the other with the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development. The partnerships will allow the program to create learning opportunities with other municipalities. Additionally, Exhibit Columbus announces six Curatorial Partners who will lead and shape this cycle. These, and other shifts, demonstrate the organization’s effort to make the program even more impactful locally, regionally, and nationally. 

“We are thrilled to kick off this cycle with so many dynamic and visionary leaders,” said Richard McCoy, Executive Director of Landmark Columbus Foundation. “We have spent the past six months re-imaging how Exhibit Columbus connects with our community and how that can be relevant around the state and country. The whole organization is excited to push this cycle beyond the traditional art and architecture biennial construct.”

Community Kickoff Details 

14 June 2022 

Part One: Downtown Reconsidered

9:00 am – Noon 

James Lima Planning + Development will present a recent study that explores ways to better activate downtown that leverages Columbus’ many existing assets (from arts and culture to the riverfront), provides diversified attractions on and around 4th Street, encourages people to explore more places, and produces a more vibrant environment and resilient economy. 

Municipal leaders from around the state will discuss how this study connects to their downtowns in a conversation moderated by Scarlett Andrews, Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Indianapolis; participants are Mayor Steve Barnett (City of Franklin), Deputy Mayor Don Griffin (City of Bloomington), and Mayor Jim Lienhoop (City of Columbus). 

15 June 2022 

Part Two: Meet the Curatorial Partners

9:00 am – Noon 

To advance Exhibit Columbus, six Curatorial Partners will form the core of the team that will shape this cycle. They have extraordinary backgrounds and represent a tremendous depth of experience in architecture, art, and design, and have each worked with diverse sets of communities to bring meaningful work to life. 

2022–23 Exhibit Columbus Curatorial Partners 

Paola Aguirre Urban Designer, BORDERLESS 

Chris Merritt Landscape Architect, Merritt Chase3 

Lauren M. Pacheco Civic and Cultural Artist, Steel Studio Foundation 

Bryony Roberts Designer, Writer, and Educator, Bryony Roberts Studio 

Raymund Ryan Curator at Large, The Heinz Architectural Center at Carnegie Museum of Art 

Holly Warren Assistant Director, City of Bloomington Arts, Economic, and Sustainable Development Department 

The Curatorial Partners will work closely with the directors of four key downtown Columbus organizations as a way to focus on social infrastructure in the heart of the community. The leaders of these organizations will serve as the Community Curators for the J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize and help the Curatorial Partners shape the outcomes of the Miller Prize recipients. 

2022–23 J. Irwin and Xenia Miller Prize Community Curators 

Cleo Rogers Memorial Library 

Jason Hatton 

Executive Director, Bartholomew County Public Library 

Downtown Civic Infrastructure 

Dave Hayward 

City Engineer, Executive Director of Columbus Public Works 

Mill Race Park 

Mark Jones 

Director of Columbus Parks and Recreation 

Mill Race [Senior] Center 

Dan Mustard 

Executive Director, Mill Race Center

About the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town Grant 

In May, the City of Columbus received a highly competitive Our Town grant in collaboration with Landmark Columbus Foundation. This $75,000 grant will support the 2022–23 cycle of Exhibit Columbus, including James Lima Planning + Development’s involvement. 

Original source can be found here.