(Indianapolis, IN) – The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently awarded a total of $3,521,351 to 338 nonprofits to fund arts projects and organizations around the state through the Arts Organization Support and Arts Project Support grant programs.
Local recipients included the following organizations:
Dearborn County
- Dearborn Highlands Arts Council – $5,819
- Dillsboro Arts, Inc. – $4,000
- Archaeological Research Institute – $4,000
Decatur County
- Tree County Players – $8,841
- Arts and Cultural Council of Decatur County – $3,750
Ripley County
- Batesville Area Arts Council – $15,246
- Gibson Theater, Inc. – $7,427
- Southeastern Indiana Dance – $9,278
- Kids Discovery Factory – $4,000
- Batesville Main Street – $2,000
- Ripley County Community Foundation – $4,000
During its June 14 Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved the funding recommendations for the two grant programs.
Arts Organization Support grants operate on a two-year cycle and provide annual operating support for the ongoing artistic and administrative functions of eligible arts organizations.
IAC provided examples of organizations receiving Arts Organization Support Awards, including the following about BAAC:
“In Ripley County, the Batesville Area Arts Council is committed to promoting the arts by providing opportunities for artistic education, expression and enjoyment in Batesville and the surrounding area. The Batesville Area Arts Council supports arts education in Batesville schools, provides a Young Artist Showcase, hosts an Annual Community Arts Show, and leads a Summer Children’s Theatre Camp.”
BAAC released a statement upon receiving a grant.
Arts Project Support grants provide funding of up to $4,000 to Indiana 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public entities for a specific arts project or arts activity(ies).
77 of Indiana’s 92 counties will receive funding through these grant programs, which are administered in partnership with the Commission’s Regional Arts Partners.
“All across Indiana we have seen the positive impact that investing in arts and creativity has on quality of life,” said Anne Penny Valentine, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “Each of the projects and organizations selected to receive funding are doing exceptional creative work in and for Hoosier communities. The Commission is excited and honored to support the work these organizations are doing to engage the public, develop their communities and encourage creativity across our state.”
In recognition of the increased interest in and need for Arts Project Support, the Indiana Arts Commission took a one-time withdrawal from the Arts Trust Plate Endowment, which is supported by sales of the Arts Trust License Plate. Plate holder contributions through the Arts Trust License Plate directly supported an additional 30 arts projects being funded around the state in Fiscal Year 2025.
Click here to learn more about the Arts Trust License Plate.
Applications were reviewed by over 120 panelists from around the state and country with expertise in the arts, community development, and nonprofit management.
“Art and creativity foster connection and cohesion, support the entrepreneurial spirit communities need to thrive, and help build the kinds of communities where people want to live, work, play, study, and stay,” said Miah Michaelsen, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “In every corner of the Hoosier state, public funding for arts and creativity continually proves to be a high-return investment that positively impacts the cultural, economic, and educational climate of Indiana. It is a privilege to support the organizations building stronger Indiana communities through arts and creativity.”
