Recently, the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) has announced that they will no longer be hosting the CCAD Spring Art Fair 2023.

The CCAD Art fair tradition is an expected form of income for not only the students, but alums, local artists, professors, etc. 

With the sudden cancellation of this event, students of this college are struck with worrisome and stressful thoughts about how to gain income (especially those who do not have and/or are not able to keep a job). Not only is this event good for student finances, but it is also a great way to connect to peers and build an audience. With this, there are also potential job opportunities with agents roaming the fair. 

While there are other Art Fairs in the area around the planned date for this fair (April, 2023), the application fees for external events that have been suggested to the students by the college are unable to be paid for by the student body. The price for a table at the CCAD Art Fair is $25, whereas other fairs can reach up to $300 to table. There are also other fees when it comes to applications; students cannot afford to pay large sums only not to be accepted to an event. While this may be an affordable purchase for an established artist, the student body is not able to make these large payments because of little to no income or withstanding financial instability. 

Another issue that arises from this cancellation is transportation. Most of the students who participate in the art fair do not possess their own vehicles to transport items and set up fairs outside of campus. 

There are also students who have missed out on past fairs because of restrictions due to COVID-19 and this could have been their last opportunity to participate. Many current seniors have also been waiting for the last art fair of their education to participate due to previous focuses on maintaining good grades for their degree.

CCAD is not only taking away an important fair to the students, but potential future students who may come to the fair. They come to see the art that the CCAD body produces and can possibly see a future here for themselves; they are not pursuing potential soon-to-be artists.

The CCAD Spring Art Fair 2023 is also another opportunity for those who are not comfortable or capable traveling in the weather at the time of the Winter Fair. 

Whether you are a current student, professor, alum, and or someone who supports the arts, please consider signing this petition to better the future careers and well-being of the students of CCAD.