INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Arts Council is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its Project Grants, awarding a total of $142,775 to 16 artists and nonprofit organizations to support arts programming in public spaces throughout Marion County.
A survey conducted as part of the Indy Art Council’s strategic plan reported that over half of central Indiana residents engage in local arts and culture events in public spaces. Project Grants respond to this trend by providing funding between $2,000 and $10,000 for arts activities that take place in accessible, community-centered locations such as parks, libraries, and community centers.
Funded projects will occur between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027. This year’s grants are funded in part by the City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, and Glick Philanthropies.
“This program continues to demonstrate the strong demand for accessible arts experiences across Indianapolis,” said Judith B. Thomas, President & CEO at Indy Arts Council. “We are proud to support artists and organizations who are bringing creative programming directly into neighborhoods and public spaces, ensuring more residents can experience and participate in the arts.”
A total of 81 eligible applicants — including 39 individual artists and 42 organizations — requested $687,649 in funding, more than double the comparable request total from the previous year’s art in public spaces category.
From this competitive pool, 16 projects were selected by a group of local panelists, representing a wide range of artistic disciplines, geographic areas, and community-centered approaches. The selected cohort includes seven artists and nine organizations, including many Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led initiatives rooted in communities across Indianapolis.
Project Grants 2026 recipients:
- Arts With A Purpose, Inc. ($10,000) – Creating an arts corridor with free workshops in visual art, music, and movement
- Cheryl A. Lorance ($9,910) – Youth stone carving workshops at Irving Circle Park
- Chreece (fiscally sponsored by CICF) ($10,000) – Free music and arts programming at Fountain Square Plaza
- Emily Mellentine ($10,000) – Monthly creative workshops for young adults
- Freewheelin’ Community Bikes ($8,760) – Mobile art studio with drop-in workshops
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ($5,245) – Free symphonic concerts in public parks
- John Boner Neighborhood Centers ($10,000) – Family-friendly arts pop-up and concert series
- Kids Dance Outreach ($8,440) – Public arts event activating Al E. Polin Park
- Lily Groot ($7,660) – Mobile printmaking demonstrations via cargo bike
- Pam Blevins Hinkle ($10,000) – Community singing and documentary songwriting project
- Quinn Tailor ($6,260) – Participatory textile experiences and community quilt
- Rome Herbert ($10,000) – “Bless the Block” hip hop concert series in Haughville
- Sapphire Theatre ($7,500) – Fall Creek CHALKfest community art event
- Sofia Casanova ($10,000) – Workshops for creatives and artist families
- Urban Musical Theatre ($9,000) – Performances highlighting Black Broadway history with talkbacks
- VV UNDERGROUND, INC ($10,000) – Two-day festival celebrating Visual Vernacular and Deaf culture
About Project Grants
Project Grants support the development and presentation of arts and culture activities that are free or accessible to the public. By investing in artist-led and community-centered projects, the program brings creative experiences directly into neighborhoods and expands access to the arts for residents across Indianapolis.
About Indy Arts Council
Indy Arts Council is central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy and services agency. Their mission is to champion arts and culture. Indy Arts Council believes every resident should experience arts and culture in a way that nourishes and inspires them. This vision of a creative life for all is central to the work they do to support artists, arts organizations, and the community.
