University District Arts & Character Plan

University District Organization | Columbus, Ohio

WHY

“Time” and “change” aren’t just words in The Ohio State University’s alma-mater, they are words that perfectly capture the University District neighborhood. As the ever-evolving place transitions into another new era, long-term residents and businesses want to ensure the spirit of the community lives on for the next generation. The University District Organization took action to ensure that new buildings had ample public art offerings and new residents had myriad opportunities to engage with the arts.

HOW
A diverse community necessitates diverse engagement. In the University District, this meant targeted outreach to artists and performers through Music, Visual Arts, Culture, and History workshops hosted at various music, art, and poetry venues. Additionally, residents, students, and others who cared about the neighborhood were provided online and in-person opportunities to share ideas about how its spirit could be better reflected in the built environment.

WHAT

The University District Arts and Character Plan generated targeted recommendations to add public art to the neighborhood and bolster existing performing arts and music venues. A ‘Music Trail’ concept modeled on other successful marketing efforts — but with an artistic twist — will help drive attendance to existing music venues. Additional recommendations include specific locations for art pieces to be added, as well as possible future art trails and installations.