This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By David Slone
Times-Union
INDIANAPOLIS —Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on Monday awarded READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grants to 49 projects across all of Indiana’s 15 regions.
These awards are expected to generate $369.6 million 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, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Among the recipients is the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, which was awarded $1.4 million toward its transformative capital improvement and programming expansion project at its historic campus to improve theater and conservatory facilities and expand arts education through full implementation of the Artist-in-Residence and Broadway 360 pilot programs and the addition of a vocal instruction track.
It also will allow for the return of the Wagon Wheel Concert Series, according to information provided. The total project expense is $2.66 million.
“As a state, we’re powering our communities forward by investing in the vision and strategies of Indiana’s regions,” said Braun. “Indiana’s art and culture sector already contributes $10.1 billion annually to the state’s economy. These investments in our creative assets and workforce will transform Hoosier neighborhoods and communities while boosting tourism and commerce, creating new jobs and career pathways, and fueling Indiana’s economy for years to come.”
Indiana’s READI (Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative) is a $1.25 billion program investing in community-led projects that improve quality of life, quality of place and quality of opportunity, the release states. The READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., allocates $65 million to the state’s creative economy – a first-of-its-kind, statewide initiative to advance regional creative transformation by investing in public art, cultural amenities and the creative economy.
As part of the initiative, Indiana’s 15 regions developed strategic arts and culture plans, identifying assets and opportunities to invest in arts and culture that support their overall economic and community impact. Nearly 320 project proposals were submitted, representing $1.4 billion in potential arts and culture investments.
Applications were reviewed by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), along with an international team of industry experts, to identify projects that have the greatest opportunity to positively impact Hoosiers and the region’s economies.
READI 2.0 Arts & Culture funding will be leveraged to revitalize historic landmarks, pavilions and entertainment venues; bring museum exhibits, galleries and learning spaces to life; create public art, displays and sculptures; and support initiatives focused on building Indiana’s creative workforce and economy by investing in artists and entrepreneurs, the release states.
“READI continues to bring Indiana communities together like never before, collaborating and creating paths toward regional growth and prosperity,” said Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich. “These arts and culture projects will transform Indiana’s creative economy, creating new community assets, destinations and programming to support the industry statewide while increasing the vibrancy of Hoosier regions.”
“Arts and culture are a key part of the civic infrastructure of a community, whether it’s a small town, big city or region,” said Miah Michaelsen, executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “A vibrant arts and culture environment retains and attracts talent and employers, diversifies local economies, and celebrates local heritage and traditions. These stories that are happening because of this groundbreaking READI investment will transform quality of place in our regions and establish Indiana as a leading destination for arts and culture.”
The Wagon Wheel is in the Northeast District. Project highlights for the Northeast. The region will create a new permanent 3D projection mapping system in downtown Bluffton; elevate the arts through PBS Fort Wayne’s Arts (260) storytelling and educational programming; and invest in the future of the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in Warsaw, revitalizing the campus and expanding programming. Selected projects also focus on building the region’s creative workforce through the Pearl Arts Creative Talent Academy Program in Fort Wayne, the Canal Street Artist Collective in Wabash, and the University of Saint Francis’ music technology collaborative, the release states.
A full list of selected projects is available here.
Braun will honor grant recipients at a celebration next week, on Wednesday, July 22, in Indianapolis. More information on READI and the READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative is available at IndianaREADI.com.
