The best of Columbus’ arts scene: Exhibits, premieres and live shows around campus

Helena Hennessy
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:41:08 +0000
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Gateway Theater. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Wexner Center for the Arts. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Newport Music Hall. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

The Columbus Museum of Art, located at 480 E. Broad St. in downtown. Credit: Courtesy of the Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus is home to a vivid arts community, offering an outing for every taste — from catching a movie premiere at a local theater to attending your favorite artist’s concert or strolling the galleries of a museum downtown.?

No matter your budget, both Ohio State’s campus and the city of Columbus offer endless opportunities to be immersed in its vibrant arts scene. Read on to uncover your next go-to creative outlet.?

Columbus Museum of Art

The city’s central art museum in the heart of downtown Columbus, founded in 1878, located at 480 E. Broad St., features collections, exhibitions and programs for those of all ages. The museum recently introduced its new free 25 & under program, according to prior Lantern reporting, that allows for free admission to all parts of the museum for those 25 and under.?

In addition to the museum’s year-round galleries, it also offers additional activities, such as a live jazz performance from the David Adewumi Quintet on Aug. 20, its 10 Minutes on the Dot series, in which attendees are paired with a CMA educator who spends 10 minutes describing singular works of art, and Open Studio, an arts and crafts session for creatives to experiment with varying materials and themes provided by the museum, according to the museum’s website.?

Gateway Film Center?

This locally-owned movie theater, located just steps away from campus at 1550 N. High St., screens both blockbuster releases and independent films, offering a wide variety for every taste.?

The theater often hosts themed film-centered events, series and screenings, such as their From Book to Film series, showing movies originally based on books, including a 4K restoration of Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) on Aug. 22 and Nickel Boys (2024) on Aug. 29, according to the website. Hitchcocktober, another film series, is an annual celebration consisting of rereleased showings of Alfred Hitchcock’s films throughout the month of October.?

Discounted movie tickets for Gateway can be purchased through DTix, Ohio State’s discounted student ticket program located in the Ohio Union, for $3.50 a piece.?

Newport Music Hall, KEMBA Live! and A&R Music Bar?

These live music venues within the University District, owned by PromoWest Productions, offer a number of concerts and live shows throughout the year, consisting of a variety of genres for every taste. Newport Music Hall (1722 N. High St.), KEMBA Live! (405 Neil Ave.) and A&R Music Bar (391 Neil Ave.) range in their capacities, giving each its own unique atmosphere for live listening.

Upcoming and most anticipated shows at the venues include Columbus-based artist Nick Folwarczny at A&R Music Bar on Sept. 11, country band Ole 60 at KEMBA! Live on Sept. 24 and alternative singer-songwriter Julia Wolf at Newport Music Hall on Oct. 9.?

Each of these venues provides endless entertainment for a night out, whether solo or with friends. Ticket information for upcoming events can be found on the venues’ shared website.?

Ohio Union Board of Activities?

Located right on campus, the Ohio Union Board of Activities is a student-run organization that plans and hosts free events for students to attend year-round. Activities such as movie screenings, arts and crafts, karaoke nights, open mic nights and special guest visits often take place in the Ohio Union at 1739 N. High St.?

One of the organization’s most popular event series is Flicks for Free, where popular movies, often chosen based on suggestions received through their Instagram page, are screened in the Ohio Union’s U.S. Bank Conference Theater.

The Wexner Center for the Arts?

Located directly on campus at 1871 N. High St., The Wexner Center for the Arts offers film and video screenings, including many foreign films, art exhibitions, artist panels, live music performances and more.?

The Wex also offers a free membership for students, which includes benefits such as free access, with one guest, to events and a 10% discount at the in-house Heirloom Cafe coffee shop.

Upcoming events include a double screening of The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) and The Birdcage (1996) on Aug. 28, a talk and Q&A with Laurel Humble, a museum educator from the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, on Sept. 3 and the annual fall exhibitions opening celebration, including drawings, paintings, sculptures and more, on Sept. 18.