Arts Scholars Connect with Local Columbus Community

Arts Scholars, specially selected high-achieving Ohio State students with an interest in the Arts, supported the 2nd Annual HighBall Halloween event on Saturday, October 31, 2009 by serving as gate volunteers and staff support. HighBall Halloween, the masquerade and fashion fundraiser for Columbus' Arts District, attracted more than 10,000 couture costume clad attendees, and Arts Scholars greeted each of them in their own fashionably self-created masks.

Held right on High Street between First and Fifth Avenues, HighBall is the Midwest's premier fashion event. Arts Scholars created striking masks with help from visiting artist Wendy Goldstein, owner of Costume Specialists in Bexley. John Angelo, the Executive Director for the Short North Business Association, also visited with Arts Scholars to engage the students and map out the volunteer needs for the event. Angelo also helped students create buzz for the event through social marketing techniques used by district business association members. Arts Scholars, in addition to their studies, connect with the community in creative endeavors through various service opportunities. Connie De Jong, Arts Scholars Program Manager, says that about 75 Arts Scholars participated in this initiative. De Jong finds that students who are involved in creative service endeavors connect to internship and job opportunities in the arts that they might not otherwise learn about