The interrelationship of the Wexner Center and the College of the Arts is important to consider in the context of the Wexner Center's educational purpose at Ohio State University. Although the Wexner Center can have an impact on every student's cultural education here at Ohio State through programs and exhibitions, there is a logical link with the College of the Arts. The Wexner Center, because of its nature as an arts presenting organization, and the College of the Arts, as an institution that educates students in the arts, have missions that are distinct; however, they both focus on the arts. The relationship between the College of the Arts (COTA) and the Wexner Center for the Arts can take on special significance for students in the arts because it could provide opportunities for experiences that would aid their education.
The purpose of this study is to understand the collaborative relationship between the College of the Arts and the Wexner Center for the Arts and the processes they use to create student involvement experiences for students in the College of the Arts. The three foci that this research addresses include: perceptions of the mission and educational intent of the Wexner Center at The Ohio State University; perceptions of the administrative and collaborative relationships, between the Wexner Center and the College of the Arts; and student involvement opportunities at the Wexner Center for students in the College of the Arts and how they have been created. These areas will be framed in reference to research that centers on interrelationships of organizations and how organizations create and sustain collaborative alliances. In addition, this study will address how staff in the Wexner and the College perceive this relationship, how this relationship affects the actual involvement opportunities for students in the College of the Arts, and finally, how the Wexner and the College work together or do not work together to provide educational and involvement opportunities for students and faculty in the College of the Arts through a strategic alliance.