(Southeastern IN) – SEI READI, Inc. is celebrating a significant investment in Southeastern Indiana’s creative economy after four regional projects were awarded more than $1.6 million through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) READI 2.0 Lilly Endowment Inc. Arts & Culture Initiative.
IEDC announced the Arts & Culture awards recipients on Monday, July 13.
A total of $62.3 million was awarded to 49 projects across the state.
The funded projects are expected to generate over $369 million dollars in investment in the state’s arts and culture economy, enhancing Indiana’s quality of place while accelerating tourism, talent retention and attraction, and continued economic and job growth.
The funded SEI region projects include:
● Expand Oldenburg Arts and Culture Programming via Maibaum Pavilion & Artistic Wall Mural by Oldenburg Freudenfest, Inc. – $148,000
o Inspired by 50 years of volunteer-driven success at Freudenfest, Oldenburg will create a vibrant new cultural tradition: the Oldenburg Maibaum Celebration, a spring festival honoring the community’s German heritage through music, dance, storytelling and shared artistic expression. The Maibaum Celebration will complement Oldenburg’s heritage, enrich community life and invite visitors to experience Oldenburg’s authenticity in a fresh, joyful and enduring way. The community will also develop Maypole Heritage Park, investing in the creative infrastructure needed to support the Maibaum Celebration as well as year-round concerts, performances and arts and culture programming. READI 2.0 Arts & Culture funding will support construction of the Maibaum Performing Arts Pavilion and a new 195-foot, hand-painted mural that will transform the park into a dynamic gathering place for artists, residents and visitors. Together, these enhancements will strengthen Oldenburg’s identity as a place of authentic celebration, expand opportunities for local artists and musicians, and create a welcoming destination for year-round cultural activity.
● Start Local – Dillsboro Studio Residency: Mentoring Indiana Artists by Dillsboro Arts Inc. – $40,300
o The Dillsboro Arts Friendship Gallery will create the Dillsboro Studio Residency, a community artist-in-residence program for young artists that supports the local creative economy while expanding access to the arts. By adding new artists to the space, Dillsboro Arts will be able to expand hours of operation, add new patron contacts, and increase arts programming for the community. Dillsboro Arts will expand into its second-floor space, completing renovations to provide individual studios for three or more emerging artists to connect and work in a shared environment. These artists will present an exhibition of their work at the completion of the residency and will have opportunities to earn money through teaching or performances. Along the way, with continuing mentorship from established artists, they will develop their studio work, learn curating and gallery operation skills and, most importantly, add new voices and energy to an already strong arts community.
● ARI Integrated Cultural Campus Initiative by Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. – $424,545
o The Archaeological Research Institute (ARI) in Lawrenceburg is transforming its downtown campus into a fully integrated, publicly accessible cultural destination through a three-project initiative – an outdoor Cultural Gardens featuring public art, a large-scale augmented reality mural and 24/7 interpretive installations; an interior facility renovation creating ADA-accessible labs, immersive technology zones and expanded educational capacity; and a comprehensive immersive exhibit design and development program engaging Indiana artists, designers and technology
professionals. Together, these investments create a seamless visitor journey rooted in the cultural history of the Ohio River Valley, activating downtown Lawrenceburg, supporting the local creative economy, and establishing ARI as a regional leader in innovative public archaeology and cultural education.
● Union Square Pavilion by Union County Foundation, Inc. – $1,000,000
o The Union County Foundation will develop the Union Square Pavilion, a three-season, open-air venue that will serve as a year-round destination for arts, culture, music, recreation, and community events in the heart of downtown Liberty. Building on the success of initiatives such as Live in Liberty, the Historic Waterworks Artisan Market, and other community programming, the pavilion will provide a permanent home for concerts, performances, artisan and farmers markets, educational programming, fitness classes, and community celebrations. The project also includes a documentary series highlighting local artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose creativity is shaping Union County’s future. Together, these investments will strengthen downtown Liberty, support the local creative economy, attract visitors, and create a vibrant gathering place that enhances quality of life for residents while contributing to Southeast Indiana’s regional arts
and culture vision.
“Arts and culture are powerful economic development tools,” said Bill Schirmer, President of the SEI READI Board of Directors. “These investments will create destinations, strengthen our downtowns, support local artists and entrepreneurs, and make Southeast Indiana an even more attractive place to live, work and visit. We are proud to see four outstanding projects receive state
support, and we congratulate each of our partners whose vision and collaboration made these awards possible.”
SEI READI serves the six-county Southeastern Indiana region, which includes Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley, Ohio, Switzerland, and Union counties.
You can find more information about SEI READI and regional updates at www.southeastindiana.org.
