INDIANAPOLIS — The City of Indianapolis and the Arts Council of Indianapolis recently announced the first round of events supported by the new #IndyKeepsCreating Series, featuring music, art installations, and cultural programs happening through March 2022.
The #IndyKeepsCreating Series engages artists and arts and culture partners with paid opportunities to support the vibrancy, beautification, and activation of Marion County’s neighborhoods and public spaces, reconnecting residents and visitors with the places and experiences they’ve been missing during the pandemic. The Series is powered by a $500,000 allocation made possible through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, unanimously approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Currently, nearly $220,000 has been awarded supporting 250 artists engaged in paid opportunities across 16 city neighborhoods, including collaboration with more than 30 community partners to support existing art and culture events or create new ones. To date, 56 percent of all grants and paid engagements have been awarded to artists of color. Marion County-based visual artists and performers, community organizations, and neighborhood businesses applied to participate in three programs administered by the Arts Council of Indianapolis; Big Car Collaborative; and GANGGANG. The programs include:
• #IndyKeepsCreating Cultural Connection Grants. Grants supporting community-centric cultural programs, festivals, and events in Marion County. Administered by Big Car Collaborative.
• #IndyKeepsCreating Music Series & Naptown Next Up Fellowship Program
The Music Series features artists performing live at signature downtown locations, in neighborhoods, and other public spaces. Curated by Smart Girl Creative Co. The Naptown Next Up Fellowship program is a professional development program for rising Marion County performing artists. Ten fellows will be announced in mid-December. Administered by GANGGANG.
• #IndyKeepsCreating Sidewalk Galleries. About 100 visual and literary/poetry artworks, mostly located outdoors, will create welcoming spaces throughout Marion County. Curated by the Arts Council of Indianapolis.
Sidewalk Galleries are currently open and feature 23 storefront murals from local artists, displayed at Circle Centre Mall.