Educational Impact

Collage of several Wexner programs representing educational impact

The Wexner Center’s educational programs enhance visitors’ experience of our artistic programming by fostering fresh perspectives, critical thinking, debate, and dialogue—all meant to draw meaningful connections between art and contemporary life.

"I've been involved with many [institutions] across the years that have had high hopes of offering programming that might add another layer to our students' thinking and worldview. Where other programming may fail, Pages accomplishes."
—Columbus City Schools teacher Fawn Harris

The Wex has partnered with some 200 schools over the years on such programs as Pages, an internationally noted, yearlong writing program for high school students; the half-day seminar WorldView, exploring current events through the arts; and the semester-long course (for credit) Art & Ecology. These programs—all supporting Ohio’s academic content standards, which include cognitive and creative learning processes for student development—provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking and writing skills, to express themselves and exchange ideas among diverse peers, and to discuss contemporary concerns. 

An expanded roster of family-focused programs such as the new, monthly Zoom Family Studios give kids and families the opportunity to have hands-on arts experiences together—for free. The annual Zoom: Family Film Festival in December always draws big crowds, and family-friendly performing arts events such as Penguins—a show out of Northern Ireland coming to the Wex in March 2020—offer the community the chance to experience theater and dance tailored just for kids. Public programs for teens include Ohio Shorts and WexLab workshops. And through the Expanded Classroom program, the Wex has “adopted” a Weinland Park Elementary School class, providing arts experiences for students within the institution and follow-up with educator-led discussions in class. 

A full slate of educational offerings for lifelong learners is offered year-round as well, including docent-led walk-in tours of exhibitions, Q&A sessions with artists after film screenings and performances, panels and symposia, and signature lectures by cultural and academic luminaries.