COLUMBUS, Ind. – Landmark Columbus Foundation (LCF) announced Wednesday that Exhibit Columbus has received a CreatINg Places Grant Award to support long-term stewardship of InterOculus, the 40-foot-tall illuminated dome designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) for the 2023 Exhibit Columbus Exhibition, Public by Design.
Rising over the intersection of 4th and Washington Streets—the heart of downtown—InterOculus has transformed the city’s crossroads into a welcoming civic living room where residents and visitors gather, celebrate, and imagine new futures for Columbus.
The award caps a successful community-driven campaign that met its funding goal and unlocked a $50,000 public match from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). Together, these resources will fund essential care to keep InterOculus safe, vibrant, and beautifully lit for years to come.
LCF created InterOculus with the support of many partners and subsequently donated the installation to the City of Columbus. Community contributions—at every level—helped meet the fundraising goal and unlock the public match supporting this award.
“We don’t just create extraordinary art and design experiences; we care for them,” says Richard McCoy, executive director of Landmark Columbus Foundation. “InterOculus is a new icon in the center of our downtown that illustrates how much our community values shared public spaces that unite people.”
The CreatINg Places Grant Award and matching funds will support near-term stewardship and a community celebration:
- Structural assessment/maintenance upgrades ensuring safety and performance for years ahead
- Repainting/protective coating of key components to refresh the installation and extend its life
- Support for producing the 3rd Annual Rock the Block Dance Festival, highlighting the renewed installation and energizing downtown with inclusive, nighttime programming
