INDIANA — The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) has officially opened applications for the 2026 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, a high-impact program designed to transform artistic passion into a sustainable business.
The program offers Hoosier creatives a unique “on-ramp” to professional success, combining intensive business training with the opportunity to secure up to $2,000 in fellowship funding.
The centerpiece of the program is a three-day in-person workshop held in Indianapolis from May 13–15, 2026. Designed by Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts, the curriculum bypasses standard corporate jargon to focus on the specific needs of a “portfolio career”—where artists balance multiple projects, commissions, and revenue streams.
Key business concepts covered in the accelerator include:
- Defining Value: Learning to articulate the unique worth of your creative voice.
- Pricing & Strategy: Developing a sustainable model for charging for services and products.
- Market Identification: Pinpointing the right audience and how to reach them effectively.
- Financial Mastery: Navigating taxes, managing expenses, and planning for seasonal income.
Unlike traditional business classes, On-Ramp emphasizes community engagement. Following the three-day intensive, participants are eligible to apply for a $2,000 fellowship grant. This funding is specifically intended to help artists put their new training into immediate action—whether that means launching a marketing campaign, upgrading equipment, or starting a community-focused art project.
To date, the program has supported hundreds of Indiana artists, with alumni reporting significant increases in art-related income and local collaborations.
The IAC is looking for a diverse cohort of up to 30 individual artists who are committed to their practice and ready to treat their art as a small business.
| Milestone | Date / Link |
| Application Deadline | February 18, 2026 (4:30 PM ET) |
| Workshop Dates | May 13–15, 2026 |
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| How to Apply | in.gov/arts |
Applicants must be Indiana residents, at least 18 years old, and have not previously participated in the On-Ramp program. The accelerator is open to all disciplines, including visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literature, and traditional crafts.
For those with questions, the IAC has provided a recording of the informational webinar on their website to walk prospective applicants through the process.
