INDIANAPOLIS — The success of the #IndyKeepsCreating Series was recently celebrated with program participants and city officials. The Series engaged artists and arts & 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 missed during the pandemic. Over 350 local artists took part in the Series throughout its duration.
The Series consisted of four core programs:
• Cultural Connection Grants, a partnership with Big Car Collaborative which offered public cultural programming in Marion County, including 17 different events and programs in 16 different neighborhoods
• Music Series, which involved 212 musicians performing in locations from Monument Circle to Belmont Beach and with organizations from Nopal Cultural to Girls Rock Indy
• NextUp Fellowship Program, a partnership with GANGGANG that offered professional development to 20 local musicians across nine bands and that culminated with a March 25 showcase at The Vogue
• Sidewalk Galleries, which engaged 70 local artists and businesses to install 90 murals in public spaces throughout Marion County
The Series was powered by a $500,000 engagement made possible through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which was approved by the Indianapolis City-Council. More than 50% of contracts went to artists of color or organizations led by, or serving, people of color.
More information about the Series program is available at indykeepscreating.org.