The Jefferson Avenue Center

06/03/2026

Community in Motion!

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Chris Hune on being named the new CEO of Columbus Landmarks!

Wishing Chris and the entire Columbus Landmarks team success in this exciting new chapter.

We are excited to announce Chris Hune as the new CEO of Columbus Landmarks!

Chris brings decades of leadership experience, deep community involvement, and a passion for preservation as we prepare to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary.

Throughout her career, Chris has been a champion for community-building and civic engagement, serving in leadership roles across nonprofit, public, and private sectors - including leadership with Team Fishel, Homeport, and The German Village Society.

As Columbus Landmarks enters this exciting new chapter, we look forward to working alongside Chris to continue preserving the places, stories, and character that make Columbus unique.

Please join us in welcoming Chris Hune to Columbus Landmarks!

05/27/2026

Jefferson Avenue Center Community Spotlight: Meet the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio!

For more than three decades, the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) has worked to create understanding and connection across faith communities in Central Ohio.

Through education, dialogue, and community programs, IACO brings people together around shared values of compassion, dignity, and peace.

Led by President Steven Dimler, the organization continues to create spaces where people can learn from one another and build stronger relationships across differences.

We are grateful to have IACO as part of The Jefferson Avenue Center community.

Learn more about IACO through their upcoming June 28 at their Big Event-a community conversation on immigration in Central Ohio.

05/23/2026

Volunteer opportunities with Growing and Growth Collective!

05/21/2026

At The Jefferson Avenue Center, one of our greatest strengths is the knowledge shared across our campus community.

Every organization here brings expertise, perspective, and experience that helps strengthen the broader nonprofit ecosystem in Columbus. From formal partnerships to everyday conversations, our tenants learn from one another constantly.

Ideas are exchanged. Resources are shared. Connections are made.

That spirit of learning and mutual support is part of what makes this campus so special. We are proud to be home to organizations doing meaningful work across so many different areas of impact and even more proud to see how that knowledge continues to grow when shared.

These are the organizations that have brought their knowledge, experience, creativity, and care to The Jefferson Avenue Center community over the years.

05/15/2026

Ongoing curiosity helps nonprofits respond to evolving community needs. 💛

The best nonprofit work is never static. Strong organizations continue learning, listening, and growing alongside the people and communities they serve.

New ideas, fresh perspectives, and thoughtful conversations all help strengthen the work happening across our community.

05/13/2026

Leadership can take many forms. Great leadership finds ways to make impact go further.

That’s what drew Marco Capalino to Jefferson Avenue Center. He was inspired by the idea that one organization can quietly support the work of many, helping nonprofits do more while strengthening the community around them.

For Marco, what makes JAC stand out is our model. Our approach allows nonprofits to spend less on facilities and more on impact, while contributing to the stewardship of a historic neighborhood. "That’s a powerful-and still relatively rare-model."

05/08/2026

We were so excited to welcome Plein Air Society to campus!

On a beautiful day for painting, their members captured the character and charm of our historic buildings as they prepared for an upcoming urban-themed exhibit. We are absolutely amazed by the results.

Thank you for spending time with us and for including Jefferson Avenue Center in your work!

05/03/2026

A powerful addition to a vibrant community.
Welcome, Barbara. We are excited to see how your leadership shapes what is next at Thurber House and across Columbus.

Friends,

We’re excited to announce Barbara Fant as our new Executive Director.

A nationally recognized poet with deep roots in Columbus and over 20 years of nonprofit experience, Barbara will lead Thurber House into a new era of community engagement, partnership, and growth. She officially takes the helm in September after completing her work in Los Angeles, where she currently serves as Program Director for Homeboy Industries.

Having previously held leadership roles at The Columbus Foundation and Harmony Project, Barbara brings a unique blend of creative vision and operational expertise to Thurber House.

Barbara's other work in Columbus includes founding the Black Women Rise Poetry Collective (now The Giovanni Collective) and co-founding Network Ohio for Arts and Healing (NOAH), as well as collaborations with Lincoln Theatre, The King Arts Complex, Streetlight Guild, Maroon Arts Group, TRANSIT ARTS, the Wexner Center for the Arts, and the Columbus Museum of Art.

As Executive Director of Thurber House, Barbara will build on Thurber House’s 42-year legacy of creative programming, ensuring that it remains a place of connection, inspiration, and joy. Deeply committed to collaboration and arts access, Barbara will strengthen community partnerships and bring together diverse audiences across Columbus and beyond.

Barbara has a longstanding relationship with Donn Vickers, Thurber House’s founder and first Executive Director, who led the organization for more than 15 years and has been a mentor to her throughout her career.

In the months ahead, we welcome you to experience what’s next at Thurber House. Thank you for being part of our community!

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Barbara Fant Greater Columbus Arts Council Ohio Arts Council The Columbus Foundation The Jefferson Avenue Center The Columbus Foundation Harmony Project The Giovanni Collective The Lincoln Theatre King Arts Complex Streetlight Guild Maroon Arts Group TRANSIT ARTS Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus Museum of Art

04/30/2026

A big thank you to the Serve with Liberty volunteer team 💛

In just two hours, they brought new life to Thurber Park, transforming it into a beautiful space ready to welcome the community. It’s amazing what a dedicated group of people can accomplish!

We’re so grateful for your hard work and for helping make the park beautiful again.