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 2017 OMA Award of Achievement winners throughout the month with our OMA Award Spotlight. 

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 award winners! 

Today we'll be closing out the month-long celebration by featuring our winner for the 2017 award for Institution of the Year (Over $500,000).


COSI - Center of Science and Industry

There have been many milestones during the 54-year history of COSI, Columbus’ Center of Science and Industry, yet the past 18 months have truly been historic.

Working with Honda of America, COSI organized a groundbreaking exhibition about technological innovation that encouraged visitors to think about exciting new opportunities in science, engineering, art, and math. COSI also developed a first-of-its-kind partnership with the American Museum of National History in New York to bring a world-class dinosaur gallery permanently to Columbus.

These two projects alone would be impressive accomplishments in their own right – but COSI didn’t stop there. As the slogan goes, “but wait! There’s more!”

The year was also noteworthy for COSI’s remarkable community engagement and outreach programs. Its solar eclipse celebration took place at over 34 area locations (including parks, libraries, a brewery and a shopping mall), and “COSI After Dark” attracted new audiences with programs designed to engage adults and millennials. All of this was accomplished during a period when COSI overcame challenges related to the major construction project of a new park and an underground parking facility – right in their front yard.

Perhaps most impressive, during this period COSI engaged an astonishing number learners of all ages through both onsite and offsite activities – over 1 million, the equivalent of 8.6% of the entire Ohio population - and achieved a new record for a single-day audience: 50,830 engaged in one day.

COSI’s impressive outreach, partnerships, and adaptability continue to grow its audience and led to a remarkable year that solidifies COSI as one of Ohio’s premiere venues for education, science, technology, and visitor engagement.


Do you know an institution that embodies the best of what Ohio museums can be?  Be sure to nominate them for the 2018 award for Institution of the Year! Learn more here.

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