Compagnie Maguy Marin , an acclaimed company from France, made its Ohio debut at the Wexner Center in October 1995, continuing the extensive schedule of dance performances that has brought the White Oak Dance Project and the Amanda Miller, Garth Fagan, Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, and Bebe Miller companies to campus in past years. Urban Bush Women's Bones and Ash and David Mamet's Oleanna and appearances by Spalding Gray, Robert Post, Eric Bogosian, Reno, and Karen Finley round out the theatrical side of the recent and upcoming performing arts schedule. The Art Ventures program developed in cooperation with Columbus Public Schools and extensive schedules of school tours and programs for teachers help introduce students from area elementary schools to the often-challenging world of contemporary arts. Artists, critics, and scholars from many disciplines provide challenging and critical insights in lectures, artists' talks, and gallery conversations, as well as in more extensive symposia, conferences, and short-term courses. Open rehearsals offer intriguing glimpses of performances in formation.
Authors share their works in readings by writers.
Residency activities including master classes, children's workshops, and roundtable discussions with Ohio State students often are developed in conjunction with Wexner Center performances, exhibitions, or other presentations. While helping to build audiences through community outreach, these residency and education programs also benefit Ohio State students and faculty. From June to October 1995, over 12,500 children and adults participated in educational programs at the Wexner Center. Since opening in November 1989, the Wexner Center has attracted international critical acclaim for its innovative architectural design, as well as for its bold artistic programs. Designed by renowned architect Peter Eisenman and the late Richard Trott of Columbus , the Wexner Center building is widely recognized as a landmark of postmodern architecture.