North Columbus News

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today joined current and former city officials to announce that the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Cultural Arts Center has been renamed the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center. The honor was bestowed at a special event recognizing the former councilmember’s life-long commitment to advancing the arts and quality of life in the City of Columbus. 

“Through her dedication to our residents and advocacy for the arts, Priscilla Tyson has strengthened our city in ways that will endure for generations,” said Mayor Ginther. “Her efforts have helped to connect countless residents with the visual and performing arts – a central component of any dynamic and inclusive community. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for everything she has done to enrich our shared cultural fabric.”

The arts also are a significant contributor to the strength and vitality of the Columbus economy, generating $412 million in economic impact annually. Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Director Bernita A. Reese emphasized the importance of a thriving and accessible arts community.

“We are thrilled to honor Councilmember Tyson’s commitment to the arts, our residents and our city,” said Director Reese. “Her advocacy has made the arts accessible to all and helped the department fulfill its mission of connecting people through the power of nature, wellness and creativity.”

Tyson’s many contributions to the arts include:

• Supporting local artists by displaying their works in her gallery, Star Arts Gallery.
• Serving as a member of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) for more than 14 years, the longest tenure of any GCAC member.
• Advocating for the arts during her tenure on Columbus City Council, including providing funding for public art and establishing the first funding for the Columbus Arts Commission.
• Helping to revise the funding formula for the arts through her service on the Creative Columbus Policy Steering Committee in 2009 during the city's budget downturn.
• Providing funding to arts organizations and events including the Columbus Performing Arts Association (CAPA), the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
• Advocating for Urban Strings, which was founded in 2007 to recruit and support underserved minority youth who play string instruments.

“I am honored to be recognized today,” said Tyson. “By continuing to bring attention to the arts, I can advocate for our residents and our city, and connect even more residents with the many great things Columbus has to offer.”

The Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, located at 139 West Main Street in Downtown Columbus, has been home to the Cultural Arts Center for more than four decades. Originally built in 1814, the facility first served as a state penitentiary, then later housed weapons and horses during the American Civil War. It was demolished in 1861 and rebuilt as it exists today. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1974, it was transformed into the Cultural Arts Center with the help of a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, officially opening to the public on June 11, 1978. 

Today, the structure is part of the Scioto Mile tourist district and features a ceramics studio, painting and weaving labs, and two galleries. It offers community arts classes and programs for artists of all levels, including Conversations and Coffee, the city’s longest-running artist talks’ series. It is also available as a community rental space. 

More information can be found at https://www.culturalartscenteronline.org/.

Original source can be found here.