Creative Women of Color
2025-12-29 09:00 - 2026-01-02 16:30 (America/Kentucky/Louisville) | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Creative Women of Color is a collective of African American women artists whose mission is to educate, encourage, inspire and provide a creative connection with the community for the purpose of advancing the arts. Creative Women of Color Members: Creative Women of Color views art as a powerful social force; a form of expression that has always been part of the structure of our society. As African American Woman artists, our work is influenced by our heritage and cultural traditions. CWOC represents a broad and diverse range of artistic talent.

Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy
2025-12-30 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-31 08:30 - 15:30 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. It is so important that all students are challenged to be original creators of work, and most importantly, that they have fun doing it! Here at the King Arts Complex, we provide an inviting environment that pushes all students to perform to their greatest abilities. Youth participants will learn about the principles of Kwanzaa by working with local, visual, and performing artists. There will be something for everyone at the 2025 Winter Academy.

Registration for Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy is OPEN. Contact our Visitor Services Manager, Hellen Corder, at 614-646-0642 or hcorder@kingartscomplex.com for registration. We would prefer the $25 is paid once your student is registered. Ms. Corder will be able to assist you with any additional questions or concerns.

Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy
December 22, 23, 26, 29-31, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ages 5 – 13 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)

Programming: $25. per student (Only 25 spots available)

*Please note there will not be before or after care.

Drop off begins at 8:30 AM and pick up ends at 3:30 PM.

Author & Illustrator Kadir Nelson in Conversation with Hanif Abdurraqib
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Join us for an unforgettable evening on January 14 at 7 p.m. with award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Kadir Nelson in conversation with MacArthur Fellow and poet Hanif Adurraqib. They’ll be discussing Kadir’s latest book Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game. The event is free, but registration is required.
REGISTER HERE
Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson delivers the perfect gift for basketball fans of any age—a beautifully illustrated history of the game and its key players over the years—in this companion to his bestselling We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Copies of Basket Ball will free* thanks to donations received from local nonprofit, Cbus Libraries. *One copy per family while supplies last.
Kadir Nelson is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander; the New York Times bestseller We Are the Ship, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor as well as the Sibert Medal; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was an NAACP Image Award winner, Caldecott Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner. His work has appeared in many publications, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. Kadir’s original paintings are in the permanent collections of the US House of Representatives and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of African American History and Culture, and he has been inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He lives in Southern California and invites you to visit him online at kadirnelson.com.
Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. He is also a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant. Abdurraqib’s recent book, A Little Devil in America, was the winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Gordon Burns Prize and a finalist for the National Book Award. His first full-length poetry collection, The Crown Ain’t Worth Much, was named a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Award and was nominated for a Hurston-Wright Legacy Award. His first collection of essays, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us was named a book of the year by NPR, Esquire, BuzzFeed, O: The Oprah Magazine, Pitchfork, and Chicago Tribune, among others. Go Ahead in the Rain was a New York Times bestseller and a National Book Critics Circle Award and Kirkus Prize finalist and was long-listed for the National Book Award. His second collection of poems, A Fortune for Your Disaster, won the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize. He is a graduate of Beechcroft High School.
Cbus Libraries is a grassroots, charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit that has gifted over 10,000 books to the Central Ohio Community, Follow them on social media @cbuslibraries.
Cover to Cover has served Central Ohio and beyond since 1980. The bookstore combines an inclusive and welcoming selection, expertise, and the best in children and teen literature. Learn more at covertocoverchildrensbooks.com.

41st Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Birthday Breakfast: The Journey Ahead: Advancing Liberty and Justice for All
2026-01-19 07:30 - 10:00 | Columbus Convention Center, 400 North high Street, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
The City of Columbus takes great pride in its observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc. invites the public to the Columbus signature King Holiday event attended by thousands of diverse multicultural individuals. This is the largest event of its kind in the United States honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us at the flagship event on MLK Jr. Day, the national holiday commemorating Dr. King the fallen civil rights leader who transformed the world.

The Breakfast keynote speaker leads us in tribute to, and remembrance of the fallen, global civil rights leader, Dr. King; who inspired nonviolent liberation movements around the world.  The Breakfast continues to showcase community oratory tributes from student speakers of the Columbus City Schools and the King scholar, a prestigious designee from Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.

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2026 Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III

A third-generation warrior for civil and human rights, Dr. Moss is the Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, where he has built a ministry centered on community advancement, social justice, and the inseparable companions of love and justice. He is also a nationally acclaimed author, educator, filmmaker, and prophetic voice for our times. His powerful messages—deeply rooted in the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Howard Thurman, and the Black spiritual tradition—have inspired audiences across generations and around the world.
CLICK HERE For more Information

MLK Day Open House
2026-01-19 12:00 - 16:00 | Ohio History Center, 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43211, United States
Join us as we explore the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy. This annual community event is an excellent opportunity for children, families, and friends to enjoy musical and live theatrical performances. It is also a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about the civil rights movement, participate in art activities, view the art exhibition, and meet new friends. We encourage you to attend the MLK Breakfast and the MLK Day evening program hosted by the City of Columbus.
We invite you to experience entertainment and education during the next MLK Open House on Monday, January 19, 2026!

The Anonymous Lover
2026-01-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Palace Theatre, 34 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
The Anonymous Lover (1780), known in French as L’Amant Anonyme, this charming two-act romantic comedy chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges is adapted from a comedic play by Stéphanie Félicité de Genlis (Madame de Genlis). It centers on Léontine, a wealthy widow who begins receiving ardent letters and gifts from a secret admirer. Unbeknownst to her, the devoted suitor is actually her close friend Valcour, who conceals his identity out of fear of rejection. Through spirited misunderstandings and heartfelt revelations, Léontine learns the truth, culminating in a joyful resolution that celebrates the power of genuine devotion and trust. Will love win? Joseph Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. The third of Bologne’s six operas, The Anonymous Lover was his most successful opera, and the only one that has survived to this day. The work holds a significant place in the annals of music history, standing as one of the first known operas composed by a Black artist.
#AnonymousLoverOC
This production will be performed in French and English with English captions.

First Tuesday Tea
2026-02-03 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-03 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-07 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-05 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-02 12:00 - 14:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
First Tuesday Tea is a monthly forum for seniors to explore dance, music, books, news from the community, and so much more. Sessions can include presentations by guest artists, lecturers and community leaders. Each month, participants look forward to the camaraderie that comes from meeting new friends in a safe, relaxed atmosphere, and the opportunity to discover abilities and creative talents. Come sip some tea and be… This event is free and open to the public: Seniors, Ages 55+ (Men are also welcome) Please email Linda at lbroadnax@kingartscomplex.com for questions or to join the list to be notified via email.

Community Connect Series: Forever Dreaming
2026-02-07 13:00 - 14:30 | St. John AME Church, 7700 Crosswoods Drive, Columbus, OH, 43235, United States
These events give audiences a deeper understanding of the music, artists, and themes presented in each Masterworks concert, fostering dialogue and meaningful community engagement.
Moderator:
Dr. Jennifer Hambrick

Panelists:Dr. Antoine T. Clark – Executive, Artistic & Music Director, WCOJevon Collins – Interim Executive Director, King Arts ComplexLarry Seward – Outreach & Constituent Services Director,Office of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03)Deborah Shaheed – representing the work of sculptor Omar Shaheed

Program Highlights:Presentation on Florence Price by Dr. Antoine T. Clark

String quartet works by Florence Price, performed by the WCO String Quartet
Devin Copfer, violinElla Pittsford, violinMeagan Cramm, violaJane Van Voorhis, cello

Refreshments will follow the presentations and performance.

Worthington Chamber Orchestra - Masterworks: Forever Dreaming
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High Sreet, Worthington, 43085, United States
Forever Dreaming focuses on dreams of equality and justice, particularly the influence of Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Dream. The music chosen reflects both personal and collective aspirations.

Benedicta Enrile Masterworks Series
Forever Dreaming
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 3 PM
Worthington United Methodist Church

Antoine T. Clark, conductor
Dwight Parry, oboe

Program:
Sinfonietta of Dreams – Jeffrey Scott
Dreamscape for Oboe and Orchestra – Alyssa Morris
Symphony No. 1 in E Minor – Florence B. Price

All Arts Day: A Celebration Of Aminah Robinson
2026-02-21 15:00 - 18:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Each February, The King Arts Complex honors the life and legacy of one Columbus’ most celebrated artists at the Annual Aminah Robinson Family Day. This special event is an opportunity for people of all ages to create art with local visual artists, enjoy music, and learn more about Aminah’s rich contributions to the world of art.
An innovative multimedia artist, teacher, storyteller, and MacArthur Fellow, Aminah Robinson was known for her work within the African-American community of Poindexter Village on Columbus’ Near East Side. As home to one of Aminah’s earliest studios, The King Arts Complex proudly displays her work year round to inspire emerging artists, current artists, and our community.

Wil Haygood Launches THE WAR WITHIN A WAR! In conversation with WOSU's Amy Juravich!
2026-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Drexel Theatre, 2254 East Main Street, Bexley, OH, 43209, United States
Join acclaimed journalist Wil Haygood as he launches The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home, a timely exploration of the racial strife that dominated so much of life during the Vietnam era, and still prevalent today. Haygood will be in conversation with journalist Amy Juravich, host of NPR-member station WOSU’s All Sides with Amy Juravich.
Registration is on Eventbrite. A general admission ticket of $10 is waived if The War Within a War is pre-purchased when registering. The book will also be available for purchase at the event.
WOSU PUBLIC MEDIA, DREXEL THEATRE, and KING ARTS COMPLEX are Gramercy’s Community Partners for this event.
The Vietnam war era, in many ways, mirrored and was the beginning of the racial and political turbulence and divisiveness we are experiencing today. By tracing the lives of a group of Black men and women—soldiers, doctors, nurses, journalists—who experienced the battles in Vietnam as well as the socio-political war raging at home in America, Wil Haygood brilliantly contextualizes the racial strife that dominated so much of life in those years and still dominates it today. The most important book to deal with this subject since the bestselling Bloods.

Earth Day 2026
2026-04-18 09:00 - 16:30 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Earth Day is a chance to highlight environmental justice, raise awareness about issues affecting marginalized neighborhoods, and celebrate the rich cultural connection many communities have to the land. Programs will focus on sustainability, urban gardening, green spaces, waste reduction, and advocating for policies that protect the environment while addressing racial and economic disparities. The goal is to inspire community action and ensure a healthier future for all, especially in areas that have been historically neglected or impacted by environmental harm.
Activities Include:
Food Demo
Lip Scrub
Line Dancing
Yoga
Candle Making
Seed Starter
Recycling
Sea Moss Scrub
Sustainable bags with African Parish House Quilters
DJ & Food Truck

39th Annual Gala
2026-05-14 18:00 - 22:00 | Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215, United States
Get ready for the event of the year! The 39th Annual King Arts Complex Gala is the spring celebration you won’t want to miss in Columbus! This incredible night is all about making a difference, supporting youth programs and performances, and honoring outstanding community leaders. We promise an unforgettable evening of excitement, entertainment, and inspiration that you’ll be talking about for years to come!
May 14,2026 @ The Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square. Columbus, OH
6 PM – 10 PM

Summer Youth Academy
2026-06-08 09:00 - 15:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Summer Camp
June 8 – July 31, 2026 (M-F) | 9 AM – 4 PM
Ages 5 – 13 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
Programming: $125 each week per student
Registration Fee: $25 per student
*Child must be 5 years old by Friday, May 29th to enroll.
Registration and Payments can be completed at the King Arts Complex. Please contact (614) 645-0627 with any questions or concerns.
Get ready for the most exciting, joy-filled summer ever during the King Arts Complex Summer Camp 2025! This camp is bursting with fun, creativity, and endless opportunities for kids to shine. It’s a place where young hearts and minds can explore the arts through hands-on activities in music, dance, theater, visual arts, and so much more! With the guidance of talented instructors and local artists, campers will dive into amazing projects that celebrate the vibrant culture and history of their community.
But it’s not just about the arts—it’s about building confidence, discovering new talents, and forming lifelong friendships. As campers learn about African American history and culture, they’ll gain a deep appreciation for their roots, all while having an absolute blast!
This is more than just a summer camp; it’s a place where creativity flourishes, memories are made, and every child leaves with a feeling of inspiration, empowerment, and ready to take on the world. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure at the King Arts Complex!
Summer Arts Camp is an 8-week, all day program. Summer Academy runs throughout the Columbus City Schools summer recess.
The camp will run on a STEAM module (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and will include:
• Dance
• Music
• Coding
• Visual Arts
• Creative Writing
• Photography
Scholarships
If this program is out of your price range, a scholarship opportunity may be available.

Juneteenth
2026-06-19 09:00 - 16:30 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Originating in Texas, this historic day has been observed every June 19th since 1865. Join us as we honor this significant milestone in history with a day full of exciting activities. Event highlights include: Speakers Performances Local Vendors Reality Vibez with Taylor Branding Co. Come celebrate with us and be part of this meaningful occasion!

28th Annual Heritage Music Festival
2026-07-09 18:00 - 21:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Join the King Arts Complex for the annual Heritage Music Festival. Once known as the “Cradle of Jazz,” the Mount Vernon of the King Lincoln District is the place to be every Thursday in July and August. Performances from local, regional, and national musical artists will keep it hot with Jazz, Classical R&B, inspirational, and Blues! A Food Court and reserved tables on the Patio will be available.
The King Arts Complex’s Heritage Music Festival has been a signature Columbus community celebration for over two decades, consistently attracting crowds of nearly 5,000 attendees each week! Our annual festival is a family event enjoyed by men, women, and children of all backgrounds. Bring a blanket, or lawn chair, and relax in the beautiful Mayme Moore Park!
