In December 2018, Lilly Endowment announced $48.8 million dollars in investment to 17 Indianapolis nonprofits through their Arts and Cultural Innovation initiative. Let’s check in on a few of those impacting our waterway communities:
White River – Thomas Taggert Memorial (1856 Burdsal Pkwy): The largest, single investment at over $9 million, this Indianapolis Parks Foundation project will transform the historic landmark in Riverside Park along the White River into a multipurpose amphitheater and home to Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. On September 9th, the official groundbreaking took place and will be completed and operational by Summer 2020.
Pogue’s Run – 10East Art and Design District (one mile along 10th St): With a grant for over $4 million, this project led by John Boner Neighborhood Centers has begun acquiring vacant property for creative reuse, transforming underutilized public areas into vibrant spaces, and increasing neighborhood arts programming. This summer, the initiative brought free music and visual art-making to a grassy lot to kick off their accessible arts and culture efforts on 10th Street.
Pleasant Run – Cruft Street Commons (Cruft St, east of Shelby St): Big Car Collaborative is using a $3 million investment to develop affordable housing, studio, and show space for community artists in this Pleasant Run waterway community. The project will include public greenspace and community-engaged arts programming.
City-wide – Indy Art and Seek: Keep Indianapoils Beautiful was granted over $600,000 to bring six large and 100 small art installations to communities across indianapolis, prodivind an innnovative, interactive adventure experience changing perceptions and connecting communities to joyful spaces. Artist Kimberly McNeelan began working with residents at September 7th’s Riverside Parade, creating wooden water droplets to be hung in park trees along Riverside Dr.
These projects are engaging and activating ROW waterway neighborhoods in new and exciting ways. ROW looks forward to continued collaboration with collective partners along Indy’s waterways.