Arts Extravaganza (ArtsX) began as an open-house event at the Fine Arts Center to showcase the work of the faculty and students in the School of Art at Bowling Green State University. As the event gained a following, musical and dance performances were added, and the planning committee expanded to encompass the arts university wide—the School of Art, the College of Musical Arts, the Department of Theatre and Film, and the Creative Writing Program.

Other contributing departments and programs are University Libraries and the Arts Village Learning Community. ArtsX has also included architecture, interior design, and other areas that have arts touchstones. Student organization involvement at the extravaganza grew, filling the Fine Arts Center. The opening of BGSU's Wolfe Center added performance and exhibition space, enabling larger installations and performances of visiting artists.

While ArtsX is several times the size of its original version, it remains a grassroots-style event produced by a cadre of BGSU faculty, staff and student volunteers. The event has increase collaboration among the arts on campus, in turn raising the arts’ profile at the university and within the community.

Since 2012, an annual theme has been integrated into ArtsX:

2025 Process 
2024 Rhythm & Resonance
2023 Movement
2022 Experiment
2021 Here We Go!
2020 Dreams and Stories
2019 Experience the Magic
2018 Let the Arts Move You
2017 Make Believe
2016 Volanti: Seeking Unknown Heights
2015 Extraordinary Possibilities
2014 Year in Light
2013 Wonderland
2012 Carnivale