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

(INDIANAPOLIS) Today, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it 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.