OMA Award Spotlight - COSI
Recognizing excellence in Ohio museums during Arts and Humanities Month
To help celebrate October as Arts and Humanities Month, and to kick-off the call for nominations for this year's OMA awards, we'll be highlighting our 2024 OMA Award of Achievement winners throughout the month with our OMA Award Spotlight. We are featuring these Award Winner Spotlights during Arts and Humanities Month to help champion the amazing projects, programs and professionals that make Ohio's museum community strong.
The Awards of Achievement are presented to reflect the outstanding quality and caliber of work by Ohio museums and their professionals in two categories: Institutional Achievement Awards and Individual Achievement Awards.
Nominations for these awards are incredibly detailed. This in-depth process helps to illustrate how these institutions and individuals have gone “above and beyond” the normal call of duty to support their institution, serve their public and advance the cause of the museum community.
Each year, the review panel is overwhelmed by the outstanding projects, innovative programming and dedication to our field as exhibited in each of the institutional and individual nominations. Congratulations again to each of our 2024 award winners!
Today, we'll be featuring our winner for the 2024 award for Best Community Partnership over $500,000.
COSI - Season of Celebrations
From November 24, 2023-January 7, 2024, more than 78,700 guests saw Season of Celebrations transform COSI into a winter wonderland, combining science, education and diverse holiday traditions.
With a grand 40-foot tree in COSI's atrium serving as the centerpiece, the building was filled with over 70 decorated trees, including10 exhibit-themed trees and 50 community-curated trees showcasing Central Ohio's diversity, decorated by local nonprofits, businesses and schools.
Community partners included several area museums, small businesses, radio and tv partners, ODNR and other government resource groups, apprentice and training programs, schools, area festivals, Stonewall Columbus and the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, Opera Columbus, BalletMet, area food banks, and more.
These community trees allowed guests to learn more about each organization’s mission and impact. Through these partnerships, seven cultures and diversity groups were represented
One guest noted, “I love how each tree introduced us to foundations in the community. Such a fantastic representation of all the beautiful organizations that make Columbus great.”
A labor of love by the COSI staff, over 39 team members volunteered to decorate the exhibit areas and related trees.
Visitors could experience past holiday traditions from 1898 and 1962 in the Progress exhibit through authentic décor and window displays, and with seasonal treats in the café.
Being a science center, COSI is all about the data – 358 members, partners, and guests were surveyed about their experience and the numbers tell the story: 84% of guests would recommend the exhibition, 75% of children under 18 LOVED the exhibition, and 94% of community partners would recommend partnering with the exhibition.
"The holidays are a time for community, and we're excited to bring people together to celebrate science, education and diverse traditions," said Dr. Frederic Bertley, President & CEO. "By combining STEM education and holiday cheer, this unique event is another example of how science is everywhere and for everyone."
Did your museum have an innovative and impactful collaboration during 2025 season? Be sure to nominate it for the 2025 award for Best Community Partnership! Learn more here.