Central Ohio artists and arts organizations are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their achievements. Here are some of the latest headlines:

Columbus Ranks with Nation's Top 25 Arts Destinations

Columbus is a top arts destination, according to AmericanStyle magazine. In the magazine's 12th annual poll of its readers, Columbus, Ohio placed 17 out of 25 cities with a population of 500,000 or greater. This is the fourth year Columbus has been voted into the top 25, a reminder that Columbus has a diverse wealth of cultural experiences.

GCAC Named "Community Partner of the Year" By Central Community House

At the Central Community House's annual meeting April 15, GCAC was named a CCH "Community Partner of the Year." Liz-Hughes-Weaver, development director for the Central Community House acknowledged, "As GCAC has been an incredible partner to Central Community House and the TRANSIT ARTS program, we would like to officially recognize [GCAC] as our Community Partner of the Year." GCAC works with CCH on its Art in the House program, a collaboration with TRANSIT ARTS and the Columbus Federation of Settlements.

AiS Artist Yasue Sakaoka Coordinates International Sculpture Project

GCAC Artist in Schools artist Yasue Sakaoka is one of five American sculptors invited to participate in Open Air Sculpture in Umbria, Italy. As part of Open Air Sculpture, artists will create sculpture outdoors at La Cascella, near Perugia. Sakaoka is the U.S. coordinator for the invitational project which will take place in October. Artist Baba Shongo of Columbus will also take part in the project.

AiS Artist, Carole Gerber, Receives Accolades for Winter Trees

Artist in Schools artist Carole Gerber's picture book, Winter Trees has been selected as a 2009 National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12. It also was chosen for the John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers. Told in verse, Winter Trees explains how to identify seven common trees in winter. It is the second in Gerber's planned series of poetry books about trees in all seasons. Her first, Leaf Jumpers, explains in verse how to identify various autumn leaves.

Greater Columbus Arts Council Embraces Social Media

Get up-to-the-moment information about GCAC and the Columbus Arts Festival. Search for our pages on Facebook and become a fan of GCAC and the Festival; follow us on Twitter (account name: ColsArtsFest or GCAC_Cols) and join our Flickr group!

Do you have a headline you'd like to share? Send it to Emily Swartzlander at eswartzlander@gcac.org.