The buzz that was Exhibit Columbus last year with its 18 temporary works that celebrated art, architecture and design actually started a year earlier.
The inaugural Exhibit Columbus symposium in 2016 attracted about 1,000 people to two days worth of topic sessions that related to the city’s architectural heritage and matters related to design.
Interest in what Columbus was doing — a two-year process with a symposium the first year followed by a exhibition the next — spread far.
As a result, last year’s exhibition of the temporary works around the city attracted about 40,000 people — many visitors from other communities or states.
The past two years provided a great start for Exhibit Columbus. The future could be even brighter based on enhancements planned at this year’s symposium, scheduled for Sept. 26 to 29.
It will be bigger, with the addition of three organizations to the lineup: Docomomo US, the American Institute of Architects (Indiana and Kentucky chapters) and Newfields.
Docomomo US is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Modern architecture, landscape and design. The American Institute of Architects — Indiana and Kentucky chapters represents nearly 1,000 architects, and provides programs in advocacy, knowledge and public outreach. Newfields is a 152-acre cultural campus that is home of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, plus historic landmarks, gardens and art and nature preserves.
Adding those organizations fits well, considering Columbus has more than 65 examples of Modern architecture, and local organization Landmark Columbus is dedicated to preserving the city’s architectural heritage.
The three new organizations on the bill also are bringing additional attendees for their own events included on the schedule.
As a result, programming for the symposium has doubled, and the number of attendees could do the same, which is encouraging.
Adding the three organizations will expand the reach of Exhibit Columbus and will enhance the city’s architectural reputation.
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