Indy Arts Council Unveils Ambitious Plan to Transform Cultural Landscape by 2030

On June 26, 2025, the Indy Arts Council unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming Central Indiana into a vibrant arts and culture hub by 2030. This initiative seeks to address challenges such as public awareness and affordability, while fostering community engagement and economic growth through cultural development.

The strategic plan, developed through extensive community input, outlines five key focus areas: sustainable funding, everyday arts access, increased awareness, professional development and shared resources, and positioning Indianapolis as a top arts and culture destination. With new leadership under President and CEO Judith B. Thomas, the council is poised to implement these strategies to enhance the region's cultural vitality.

Background on the Indy Arts Council

Established in 1987, the Indy Arts Council has been Central Indiana's leading arts advocacy and services agency for nearly four decades. The organization supports local artists and enhances community engagement through various programs, including the Art & Soul festival, Gallery 924, and the Indianapolis Artsgarden. The council's mission is to foster meaningful engagement in the arts by nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive.

Development of the Strategic Plan

The strategic planning process, spanning 2023-2024, was the council's most inclusive and comprehensive in over a decade. Partnering with Next Practice Partners, the council engaged nearly 3,000 regional stakeholders—including artists, arts organizations, funders, civic partners, and community residents—through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. This collaborative approach aimed to address evolving community needs and challenges, particularly those arising during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brenda Horn, Indy Arts Council Board Chair, emphasized the importance of this approach: "We approached this project with curiosity and humility—and frankly, a lot of patience. We're eager to do more to champion arts and culture in Indianapolis, and in 2020, we began the process of discovering how to do so most effectively."

Key Findings from Community Engagement

The community engagement process revealed several critical insights:

• High Participation but Unmet Needs: While 79% of residents reported high participation in local arts, only 48% felt their needs were fully met. The primary barriers identified were lack of awareness (46%) and affordability (34%).

• Valuation of Arts: Residents strongly value the arts' contributions to quality of life, education, and community well-being, with 79% supporting private funding for the arts.

• Needs of Arts Professionals: Artists and arts professionals highlighted the need for increased funding, professional development, equitable resource allocation, networking opportunities, advocacy, and support for diverse communities.

Strategic Plan Focus Areas

Based on these findings, the strategic plan outlines five key focus areas for the next five years:

1. Sustainable Funding: Expand and diversify sustainable funding for artists and arts organizations, aiming to be a top-five funding source in Indianapolis.

2. Everyday Arts Access: Ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are accessible to all regional residents daily, leading to more art for more people in more places.

3. Increase Awareness: Remove the lack of awareness of arts and culture offerings as a barrier to engagement, becoming the go-to information source on the regional arts and culture sector.

4. Professional Development & Shared Resources: Increase professional development and services for regional artists and arts organizations, making Indianapolis a magnet for artists and creative businesses.

5. Arts & Culture Destination: Catalyze investments for an arts and culture hub or district and festival, with the goal of Indianapolis becoming a top 10 arts and culture destination nationally.

Leadership and Implementation

Judith B. Thomas, the President and CEO of the Indy Arts Council, is responsible for implementing the strategic plan. With decades of experience in community engagement and leadership roles, including serving as Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement for Indianapolis, Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge to the council.

Upon her appointment, Thomas expressed her enthusiasm: "The opportunity to lead an organization so deeply embedded in the cultural and creative fabric of Indianapolis aligns perfectly with my passion, vision, and lifelong commitment to empowering communities through the arts."

Social and Economic Implications

The strategic plan's emphasis on sustainable funding and increased accessibility aims to address the current disparity in arts funding. Indianapolis spends only $5.68 per capita on arts and culture, significantly less than peer cities like St. Louis and Cincinnati, which spend over $100 per capita. By increasing funding and support, the council seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents and position Indianapolis as a leading arts and culture destination.

Historical Context and Comparisons

This strategic plan builds upon previous efforts to integrate arts and culture into Indianapolis's civic life. For instance, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, completed in 2013, connected the city's cultural districts and significantly increased property values along its route. The current plan aims to further these efforts by addressing identified barriers and leveraging community input to create a more inclusive and vibrant arts scene.

Conclusion

The Indy Arts Council's strategic plan represents a significant commitment to enhancing Central Indiana's cultural landscape. Through community collaboration and focused initiatives, the council aims to overcome existing challenges and foster a thriving arts environment by 2030.