King Arts Complex

First Tuesday Tea
2025-09-02 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Kentucky/Louisville) | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Meet C. Sunny Martin of Mahogany Media Group along with chair exercises with Greg Pearson!
Tea: A term often used to refer to some juicy information
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.

Mahogany Columbus - Magazine Release & Networking Event
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Thursday, September 4 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
The King Arts Complex
Join our partners at Mahogany Columbus for their next Magazine Release and Networking event. It’s a celebration for Educators, HBCU Alumni, and D9 Fraternities & Sororities members on Thursday, September 4th from 6 PM – 8 PM live at the King Arts Complex!
Don’t miss a chance to meet Central Ohio’s leaders and achievers.
Admission is FREE!

African Parish House Quilters - Exhibition
2025-10-02 09:00 - 2025-10-25 16:30 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
The African Parish House Quilters was founded by the late Barbara Holt Payne and Deborah E. (Mullens) Pinckney under the tutelage of the late Wyrelene Mays. This group had its first meeting at the African Parish House, 189 N. 20th Street, on May 17, 1997, with subsequent meeting held on the 3rd Saturday of the month. The group is the result of the union of two visions. Barbara was inspired by the work of Carolyn Mazloomi and her Women of Color Quilters Network and wanted to start a group in Columbus. Deborah wanted to use her interest in quilting as a means of giving back to the community, as part of the outreach of the now defunct Hebron Baptist Church, a house church which met in the African Parish House. This church was under the leadership of Pastor William¬ Amanze M. Pinckney.
In February 1997 Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Mays held a quilting demonstration at the MLK branch of the library at 1600 E. Long Street introducing participants to yo-yo quilting. Deborah attended this demo and had the opportunity to share with them her desire to preserve the art of quilting relative to the historical significance in the African American community. Consequently, Barbara and Deborah came together to start the African Parish House Quilters. The name came about as a result of the meeting where those in attendance voted to have this group name, since this is where meetings were being held. The African Parish House got its name, because it was the former parsonage for pastors of the Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Church.

SOAR
2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Begins September 6 and ends October 11, 2025.
Deadline to register is September 2, 2025.
Soar on Saturdays is a dance access program created in partnership with The King Arts Complex. It is aimed to give young students ages 8-12 the opportunity to explore movement over the course of a free six-week dance class. Four different six-week sessions will be offered throughout the academic year, each featuring a unique style of dance. Classes meet once a week.
Questions, please email education@balletmet.org.

43rd Annual Columbus Kiwanis College Fair
2025-10-07 09:00 - 14:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Free admission!
Meet with recruiters from colleges, trade organizations, employers and military! Open to Columbus City Schools SENIORS ONLY due to space limitations.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The King Arts Complex
835 Mt. Vernon Ave. Columbus, OH 43203
Hands on career exploration and ‘advising’ on subjects such as college financing.

First Tuesday Tea
2025-10-14 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.
Project support for First Tuesday Tea comes from the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation.

Park National Bank & Homeport: Homebuyer Workshop
2025-10-22 17:00 - 19:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Are you thinking about buying a home?
Our $15,000 grant makes the dream more doable!
Please join us for a free, informational homebuyer workshop in a relaxed setting. Doors open with refreshments at 5:00 p.m. and the presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. Door prizes1 will be given away, too!
Park’s community home lenders and a HUD-certified homebuyer education counselor from Homeport will discuss:
• Park’s new $15,000 home loan grant program2
• 100% financing options
• The homebuying process
• Managing, building and improving your credit
• What it means to prequalify and how to do it
Come for the education, stay to get prequalified!
We’ll be happy to answer questions and can help you prequalify.
A Spanish speaking lender from Park will be present at this workshop.

Creative Women of Color Exhibition
2025-11-06 09:00 - 2025-11-07 16:30, 2025-11-10 09:00 - 2025-11-14 16:30 | 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.

First Tuesday Tea
2025-11-06 12:00 - 14:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Because of the Election the First Tuesday Tea this month will be held on Thursday November 6, 2025.
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.

Creative Women of Color - Exhibition Opening Reception
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Creative Women of Color Mission Statement: 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.

Creative Women of Color
2025-11-17 09:00 - 2025-11-21 16:30, 2025-11-24 09:00 - 2025-11-28 16:30, 2025-12-01 09:00 - 2025-12-05 17:00, 2025-12-08 09:00 - 2025-12-12 16:30, 2025-12-15 09:00 - 2025-12-19 16:30, 2025-12-22 09:00 - 2025-12-26 16:30, 2025-12-29 09:00 - 2026-01-02 16:30 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States

Quan Howell Project - Toy Donation Concert
2025-11-22 18:00 - 21:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
We are excited to partner with Making A Difference Inc. and the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA for a community toy drive and special performance from the Quan Howell Project. Event will be held on Saturday, November 22nd beginning at 6 PM.

Bring a toy or $20 for admission.

First Tuesday Tea
2025-12-02 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.

Legends & Legacies
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:30 | The Fives at the Reach on Goodale, 550 Reach Boulevard, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
The King Arts Complex is proud to present the 17th Annual Legends & Legacies, an annual celebration honoring African American trailblazers who have made profound contributions to media, culture, civic leadership, and social impact. This year, Legends & Legacies will honor the extraordinary history and impact of Columbus Black Journalists. We will celebrate Ann B. Walker (posthumously), Angela Pace, Dana Tyler, Jerry Revish, and Mike Jackson (posthumously) for their remarkable contributions to journalism and our community.
The doors open at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and the program begins at 7:00 PM at The Fives Columbus. A special Fireside Chat will be moderated by former Columbus Mayor, Michael B. Coleman. The Legends & Legacies program recognizes individuals whose work represents the highest levels of social justice, human rights, artistic excellence, civic leadership, cultural democracy, and community service. The event continues a long-standing King Arts Complex tradition of celebrating African American excellence and preserving the stories of those who have shaped our collective history.
CLICK HERE to Purchase Tickets

Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy
2025-12-22 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-23 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-26 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-29 08:30 - 15:30, 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.

Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration
2025-12-26 18:00 - 22:00 | The King Arts Complex, 835 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
This celebration will be hosted by Tawi Family Village. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African American culture which is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in gift-giving and a feast of faith.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day, celebration of family, culture, and community. Each day honors a particular African-derived principle, and the final day culminates in a feast (called Karamu Ya Imani) on New Year’s Day. Each day is counted down on a menorah-like candelabra.
It was created by Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966.
Tawi Family Village will have the storyteller come around 10:00 for the Winter Academy and others from the neighborhood. Tawi Family Village will also provide programming to the community from 1-3:00 and vendors will be setting up around 5:00 and Kwanzaa Opening night will begin at 6:00 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.
