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The Columbus Museum of Arts
480 E Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215
We ask that you consider supporting our mission to spotlight and elevate Black artists in the Columbus arts community. First Fridays Color of Summer is one of the largest African American arts driven experiences in Ohio. An exhibit of Art, Music, Fashion and Food produced specifically to celebrate and recognize talent in the Urban Community.
The 3rd annual Color of Summer will once again be presented at the Columbus Museum of Art. This showcase of visual and performing artists along with culinary experiences from some of the City’s leading Black restaurants, chefs, and caterers will draw patrons from across the Midwest. The inaugural event in 2019 drew over 1,500 people. In 2021, the attendance increased to over 2,500 people and this year will be even better.
We are working to increase the city’s attractiveness to Black and Brown people. The enormity of the need for additional cultural options in Columbus has not been lost on many of the community’s decision-makers. It is now at the forefront of thoughts and actions to make Columbus more inclusive.
People choose a city to live, work, trade, and visit based on its experiences. Columbus no longer competes solely with comparable cities in Ohio. Going forward it must match the offerings of different cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, and Washington DC, vying for the same economic impact.
As organizations and corporations look to execute their plans on equity and inclusion, we want to be one of the vehicles to assist them in these efforts. We believe that any serious attempt to improve the city’s racial profile includes intentionally building a cultural and social foundation for Black and Brown people.
The evening will open with a VIP reception in honor of the 2022 Color of Summer honoree and will also feature the works of over 50 local and regional visual artists in a silent auction. The main event from 7:00pm to 12:00am is an interactive experience that spans the entire museum and garden. Patrons are treated to the museum’s collections in the galleries and garden, along with a cross-section of bands, DJs and spoken word artists all performing concurrently throughout the museum. The centerpiece of the event is the Rock the Runway Fashion Show that combines a live musical performances with runway fashion.
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Color of Summer honoree for contributions to arts in the minority community is Nannette V. Maciejunes, CEO of the Columbus Museum of Art. Nannette is responsible for the Color of Summer coming into existence more than any other person because of her willingness to think outside of the box. She recognizes the difference between the status quo and what should be. Her tremendous accomplishments in the arts community are well documented, but for us, it is the sprite of her actions that are unmeasurable. We are fortunate for our incredible partnership with Nannette and the Columbus Museum of Art.
The Cultural and Educational experience that Color of Summer provides is unique to Columbus and Ohio. Our role is to bridge the gap between the resources needed to produce and market an event like the Color of Summer and the organic resources available for minority events at this level. Your participation will help in closing this gap to help minority visual and performing artists gain greater participation in the Columbus Arts community while also making Columbus a more cosmopolitan city.
30 - 55
$70,000
60% Female
40% Male
African American 85%
International 10% , Other 5%
Some College 70%, College Grad 50%, Post Graduate 20%
250,000
25,000
30,000
150,000
250,000
First Fridays is the creator and producers of The Color of Summer and for the past 25 years the city’s premier promoter of cultural and social events to the African American professional community. The group has produced and hosted thousands of events in Columbus as well as nationally and internationally.
info@cornerstonehospitalitygroup.com
614.695.5575
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