From the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 until the mid-1970s, this building housed a supply of small arms for the United States military. In 1973 Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Mel Dodge envisioned a building used for artists’ studios. Two years later, Governor James Rhodes signed a 99-year lease with the National Guard…for one dollar a year. The Cultural Arts Center was installed in the renovated building three years later, officially replacing the decommissioned Ohio State Arsenal within the original red-brick facade. A two million dollar federal grant and architecture firm Schooley Caldwell helped to transform the building while retaining its historic appeal.
The distinctive Ohio shield on the corner of the outside wall at 2nd and Main is from the battleship Ohio, which was once part of the fleet used by President Teddy Roosevelt to impress on foreign nations that America was peaceful but could, when needed, “carry a big stick.” The shield was loaned to the State of Ohio, placed in the armory, and emerged refurbished in the 1970s. Before the current building was erected, this was the site of the city’s first jail, and public hangings were done on what is now Waterford Tower—no wonder the Cultural Arts Center also sports a few ghosts.
Now home to several art studios, classrooms, exhibition spaces and a library, The Cultural Arts Center hosts weekly lectures and occasional special events. Galleries are free and open to the public Monday through Saturday.
135 W Main St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
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