Founded in 2008, the Urban Arts Space is an arts laboratory for Ohio State faculty and community artists, and a professional launching pad for Ohio State students. The Space is housed within the largest gold-certified LEED renovated building in the region, the historic Lazarus Building in downtown Columbus.

By the Numbers

• 10,000 square feet of gallery and alternative performance space that houses exhibitions, installations and performances
• 34,000+ visitors a year
• Twice recognized by the community as best gallery in Columbus
• 300+ individual artists featured every year
• 25 students operate the gallery space

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, until 8 p.m.

Urban Arts Space named Best Art Gallery 2012 by Columbus Alive Readers

The OSU Urban Arts Space has risen to the top of the “Best Art Gallery” heap. This concrete intertwining of town and gown is more than art hanging on walls.  You’ll also find symposiums and lectures, interactive programs for kids, play and poetry readings, performances, multimedia events, art classes, film screenings, even a garden on the roof.

A Cultural Destination, Revitalizing Downtown

The OSU Urban Arts Space challenges our ways of thinking about the performing and visual arts and their role in everyday life through conversation, art-making, and experimentation. The OSU Urban Arts Space encourages transformative experiences that expand worldviews, offer hands-on practical experiences in the arts and education, and develop new career skills to reflect an entrepreneurial culture.

Opportunities for Students

Undergraduate and graduate students serve as caretakers, exhibition docents, and administrative help, which provides them with real-world arts management experience.

All Ohio State students are provided accessible, free exhibition and performance space with faculty and staff mentorship.

Outreach and Education

We are dedicated to fostering substantial interactions with the Columbus community. With an interactive approach, we nurture critical, creative thinking and instill a foundation for enduring art expression and appreciation. Our arts education programming includes:

• Art Explorations for kids ages 4-8
• Carry Out Art for those who cannot visit the Space
• After School Arts, free art classes for high school students

Accessibility

The OSU Urban Arts Space connects people with disabilities to the world of art through accessible tours (touchable tours for blind and low-sighted) and exhibitions that celebrate both artists with disabilities and artists who create work on the behalf of the disabled. Specially tailored tours upon request.

Annual and Special Events

Biennial Ohio State Art Faculty Exhibition: showcasing the extraordinary work of our award-winning faculty from the Department of Art

Idea Lab: discovering the creativity of Ohio State student ideas selected by a student-run grant program

Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibitions: displaying the work of professional artists who are completing MFA degrees in art, dance, and theatre

Department of Design Spring Exhibition: showcasing the work of students graduating from industrial design, interior design, and visual communication design

Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Projects Exhibition: highlighting the work of graduating visual art majors

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