Arts Commission Invests Over $3M to Strengthen Communities through Arts and Creativity

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) has awarded $3,038,223 to 390 nonprofits to fund arts projects and organizations around the state through the Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support grant programs.   

During its June 25th Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved the funding recommendations for the two grant programs. Applications were reviewed by 167 Hoosiers from around the state with expertise in arts, community development, and finance.  

"The projects and organizations that are receiving funding have major positive impacts on the cultural, economic, and educational climate of Indiana," said Alberta Barker, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. "The Commission is impressed at the work being done around the state and is excited to support investment in Hoosier communities." 

As a part of this investment, the commission awarded $1,000 merit awards to 52 organizations receiving Arts Organization Support to recognize their innovation and dedication to providing public benefit in the last year.

Following are examples from two Arts Organization Support recipients awarded merit awards.

• Heartland Artists worked with the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, an organization that helps people living below the poverty line, on a photography exhibit with their clients to illustrate the challenges that many community members were facing, particularly during the pandemic.
• Evansville Philharmonic Orchestral Corporation held a World War II Pops concert in an airplane hangar that serves as a WWII museum. The orchestra was able to provide a safe, socially distanced performance for the community.

All Arts Organization Support and merit award grant recipients can be viewed here.

The commission also voted to distribute funds from the Arts Trust, which is supported by donations from the sale of Celebrate the Arts license plates, to one Arts Project Support grant recipient from every county in which there was a funded application. These beneficiaries were selected based on exemplary commitment to community, education, economy, and health.

Following are examples of Arts Project Support recipients selected as Arts Trust License Plate beneficiaries.

• The Dearborn County Citizens Against Substance Abuse will use an Arts Project Support grant to hire an artist to facilitate the creation of ceramic totems by members of the community who are in substance abuse recovery following incarceration and intensive treatment. Participants' children and family members will be included with an emphasis on relapse prevention, resulting in a permanent piece of public art.
• Greater Clark County Schools in Jeffersonville will use an Arts Project Support grant to implement an arts integration module around studying famous scientists. Students will research a scientist, practice reading comprehension and writing, and ultimately perform for a panel of history, science, theatre, and art experts.

The full list of Arts Trust License Plate beneficiaries can be accessed here.

All Arts Project Support grant recipients can be viewed here.

"From the smallest rural communities to the largest cities, we see arts and creativity improving quality of life and driving economic development, and this funding will support the projects and organizations around the state at the heart of this progress," said Lewis Ricci, IAC Executive Director. "It is an honor to support work that is strengthening the fabric of Indiana communities."