Posted on May 27, 2011 by Jami Goldstein

Recognized as one of the top arts festivals in the country, the Columbus Arts Festival is a juried show, with more than 1,000 artists competing for approximately 240 booth spaces. Continuous entertainment, interactive art activities and great food from area restaurants are also featured. The Columbus Arts Festival is one of city's largest and most successful events, attracting approximately 350,000 attendees. Following are some of the new and exciting initiatives happening for the 50th anniversary:

Emerging Artists
This new program has been designed to help promote Central Ohio artists who are new to presenting their work at festivals. Ten artists from Central Ohio will be selected by the Festival jurors and in addition to a lower booth fee they will also receive assistance from Festival staff on how to best present their work to the public and an opportunity to display their work at the Festival Patron Party.

Savor the Arts presented by Dine Originals
In partnership with Dine Originals, Savor the Arts will showcase cuisine as an art form and bring gourmet fare back to the Festival. The Savor the Arts tent will feature special menus developed by local restaurants, wine and beer tastings and more. Participating restaurants include:  Barcelon Restaurant and Bar, Barrio, Black Creek Bistro, Deepwood, Due Amici,  Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus, G. Michaels Bistro, Katzinger's, Mozarts,  Refectory  Restaurant & Bistro, Rigsby's Kitchen, Tasi Cafe and The Top Steakhouse.

All Hands On Art
The Columbus Arts Festival will be expanding the Hands On Activity offerings with the addition of an adult's only area that will open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4. A perfect gathering place for young professionals groups or friends, creative activities involving glass, metalworking and more will be offered in conjunction with a Signature Bar offering the 50th Festival Signature Belvedere vodka drink, Liquid Art.

Connect a Million Minds Day
Connect a Million Minds Day presented by Time Warner Cable on Saturday, June 4, will explore creativity and imagination through the lens of science. Activities will showcase the different aspects of art and science with the help of  BalletMet, CATCO, Columbus Museum of Art, WCBE and COSI.. These organizations and their artists are committed to helping Festival patrons explore the science behind art and the art behind science. A wide range of art forms will be represented including visual arts, dance, music, theatre and more.

Commemorative Print
As part of the celebration and to engage the central Ohio community, local artists from Franklin and surrounding counties were called to submit designs for the Columbus Arts Festival Commemorative Print to help capture the spirit and vibrancy of the arts in Columbus-and represent the impact the Columbus Arts Festival has had on the city over the past 50 years. The top design by Amy Neiwirth was selected by a public vote.  Click here to view Niewirth's winning design for 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print, Columbus in Color.

The Art of Collecting
On February 24, a panel of art professionals and collectors provided tips on how to purchase art and why Festivals make good options for beginning or building an art collection. The tips shared by the panelists will be used on the Festival Web site as well as through social media and the mobile app.

Expose Yourself
Juried artists as well as local artists will demonstrate how they create their work at the Expose Yourself demonstration tent.

Festival Mobile App
The new Festival Mobile App will allow visitors to locate artists, food vendors and menus, watch the latest weather report and much more. The app will also be used throughout 2011 for the festival's move to the Riverfront, keeping patrons up to date with the new layout, timeframe and special events.

VIP Package
The VIP area will be a tent (next to Savor the Arts) for VIP ticket purchasers, sponsors, special guests and board members to come and relax. A copy of the Commemorative print, a Festival t-shirt, comfortable seating, free water and snacks, a private cash bar, restrooms, personal shopping assistance and other VIP amenities will be available. VIP packages will be sold prior to and during the festival for $95. Couples package with one commemorative print for $170.  Passes are good for the entire weekend.

The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable will be held June 3, 4 & 5, 2011. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5. For more information visit www.columbusartsfestival.org.