Ohio’s creatives are coming together in a big way, and ArtsVote Ohio (AVO) is here to lead the charge. AVO, a collaboration between CreativeOhio and the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), just kicked off its statewide, nonpartisan campaign to get artists and creatives to flex their voting muscles. The goal? To empower everyone from artists to arts administrators (and even the art lovers out there) with the tools they need to get more involved in the voting process.
“There’s this awesome connection between creativity and democracy,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of GCAC. “Artists are natural advocates—they use their platforms to push for social and political change. At AVO, we want Ohio’s creative sector to fully recognize the power they hold, get out there and vote, and use their voices to help shape the future of our state.”
Ohio’s Arts Community is No Joke
If you didn’t know already, Ohio’s arts and culture scene is a big deal. We’re talking a $25 billion industry that gave jobs to over 157,000 people in 2022 alone. That’s a whole lot of creative energy flowing through Ohio. The arts actually make up over three percent of Ohio’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is more than utilities, education, or even agriculture. Yeah, the arts are serious business here!
Beyond the numbers, the arts bring life and energy to Ohio’s communities, and it’s time for artists to realize just how much power they have—especially when it comes to voting. As Sarah Sisser, executive director and CEO of CreativeOhio, puts it, “ArtsVote Ohio is all about reminding Ohio’s creatives that they have strength in numbers. Artists aren’t just creators—they’re business owners, employers, and community leaders. And voting decisions can have a huge impact on arts funding and the vitality of our neighborhoods.”
Turning Art into Action
ArtsVote Ohio started in 2022 as part of a national initiative with the Americans for the Arts Action Fund. Since then, it’s grown into a full-blown statewide movement, featuring incredible artwork from local Ohio artists and encouraging people to get involved in their communities through art, stories, and action.
So far, AVO has teamed up with 28 artists from 10 cities across Ohio, creating beautiful, shareable, nonpartisan graphics that anyone can download and use to help spread the word. These aren’t just pretty pictures either—they’re designed to motivate people to check their voter registration, register to vote, and make sure their friends do the same. You can even share the artwork using #ArtsVoteOhio, and don’t forget to credit the artist!
“We’ve been able to connect with local artists to create something visually impactful that really speaks to the spirit of Ohio’s creative community,” explained Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing at GCAC. “It’s been amazing to see how the campaign has evolved and how much more we’re engaging with people.”
Get the Tools to Make a Difference
Alongside the cool artwork, AVO offers a toolkit full of resources for individuals and organizations looking to get involved. Whether you’re an artist or just someone who loves the arts, this toolkit has everything you need to check your voter registration, encourage others to vote, and make sure your voice is heard.
With elections coming up, now’s the time for Ohio’s creatives to step up. Want to learn more, get involved, or download some of the amazing artwork? Head over to ArtsVoteOhio.org and be part of the movement. Don’t forget to follow the campaign on social media and use the hashtag #ArtsVoteOhio to keep the momentum going.
Ohio’s artists already know how to make an impact—now it’s time to do it at the polls.
