The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) has announced that ten Indiana communities have completed specialized training designed to accelerate local arts and culture development and have been approved for grant funding through the Creative Convergence program.
Creative Convergence, launched in 2023, is a program of the Indiana Arts Commission conducted in partnership with the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business. The initiative includes a two-day training workshop followed by an Early Action Grant Program.
Community teams representing local government, economic development organizations, arts groups, educational institutions, tourism entities, and other community-focused roles participated in the program.
Workshop Details
The two-day Creative Convergence workshop was held November 4–5, 2025, in Fishers. The training focused on:
-
Embedding arts and creativity into community and economic development planning
-
Cross-sector collaboration
-
Effective community engagement strategies
Early Action Grant Program
Following the workshop, participating communities were eligible to apply for a Creative Convergence Early Action Grant. The program supports projects that apply workshop learnings in ways that benefit local creatives and the broader community.
Each selected community received $5,000 to implement its project.
Communities also had the opportunity to leverage additional public and local support through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program in partnership with Patronicity.
Featured Community Projects
Delphi — Delphi Arts Garden
The Delphi Arts Council, in collaboration with local arts leaders and Delphi Main Street, will transform an underused space between the historic Delphi Library and City Building into the Delphi Arts Garden.
The project will create a vibrant outdoor cultural hub featuring:
-
A small performance stage
-
Flexible seating
-
Decorative lighting
-
Interactive musical play equipment for children and families
Marion — Penrod Plaza Gateway
The Marion Arts Commission will install a window mural created by a local artist at the city’s central bus station.
The project enhances downtown placemaking while promoting free public transit. The station also serves as the backdrop for 18 summer concerts at Penrod Plaza.
Funding will support:
-
Artist stipend
-
Promotional video production
-
Mural fabrication and installation
The project aims to strengthen community pride and economic vitality.
Complete List of Participating Communities & Projects
-
Angola — Synergy: Enriching Everyday Life through Creativity & Collaboration
-
Delphi — Delphi Arts Garden
-
Gary — ARTIV: Active Arts
-
Greensburg — Decatur County Skate Park Revamp
-
Indianapolis — littlebikegallery and PEDESTAL Routes
-
Kewanna — The Heart of Kewanna
-
Marion — Penrod Plaza Gateway: Creative Placemaking at the Marion Bus Station
-
Muncie — Close Encounters Muncie
-
Terre Haute — Light Up Wabash
-
Vincennes — Fleur de Lis Collaborative Public Art Project
Communities were selected through a competitive application process. Those interested in participating in future Creative Convergence programs may contact Anne Johansson, IAC Community Services Program Manager, at ajohansson@iac.in.gov.
The Indiana Arts Commission is a state agency that works directly with communities, creatives, and organizations to harness the power of creativity to strengthen Indiana. Through its programs and services, the IAC supports arts experiences, arts education, and the arts economy to enhance quality of life across the state.