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Andy Downing

Andy is the director and editor of Matter News. The former editor of Columbus Alive, he has also written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Spin, and more.

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Andy's Latest Articles

Internal review highlights fracture between former leadership and staff at Wexner Center for the Arts

The review, conducted by Ohio State Employee and Labor Relations a month before Gaëtane Verna’s resignation from the museum, paints a picture of the growing disconnect that led staff members to send a letter to university officials expressing a vote of no confidence in the former executive director.

Community takes center stage in ‘Time…with Baba Shongo’

A new exhibition opening at William H. Thomas Gallery on Sunday, Dec. 21, pays tribute to gallery founder Baba Shongo Obadina and the larger community that has come up around the vital East Side arts space.

Behind the worker-led push to unionize the Columbus Metropolitan Library 

Last week, CML United initiated the unionization process when it delivered signed union cards representing a supermajority of eligible library workers to Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board, taking the biggest step yet in a slow-building process that started more than 18 months ago.

The paradox of Big Fat Head

The Columbus band, which released the excellent ‘Mind Your Head’ EP in late November, will perform as part of the Matter News benefit show at Cafe Bourbon Street this weekend, joined by Van Dale and Corey Landis & the Finer Things.

Resistance finds a home in the newly opened Columbus Liberation Center

The political organizing hub, located in a former Parsons Avenue dance studio on the South Side, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 13.

‘I want to make music like this’: Austin & the Syd Experience steps out with new live album

The Columbus rock quartet will celebrate the release of its debut album, ‘Live at Natalie’s,’ at Used Kids Records on Friday, Dec. 12.

The unpredictable work of artist Leah Wong

The Columbus artist, whose ‘Moving with Skylight’ is currently on view in the 2025 Biennial Juried Exhibition at the Riffe Gallery, continues to embrace the element of surprise in crafting her three-dimensional installations.

Blowing up laboratories with Cellar Dwellar

The Columbus art-rock collective will premiere a new video for ‘Alecto’ during a mini short film festival taking place as part of its masquerade ball at WitchLab this weekend.

Confusions continues to evolve with ‘push / back’

With their sprawling new double album, out digitally today (Monday, Dec. 8), Columbus musician Benny Turner learned to embrace the spirit of play.

An update on our year-end fundraising campaign

Thanks to widespread community support, we're now less than $7,500 from reaching our goal with three weeks left to go.