2024 Annual Grants Program awards nearly $1.5 million to a record 91 nonprofit arts and culture organizations

Indianapolis (May 8, 2024) – A record 91 nonprofit arts and culture organizations received funding through the 2024 City of Indianapolis Annual Grants Program, the Indy Arts Council and the City announced today. Nearly $1.5 million was invested in the local creative economy through grants that support the development of arts and cultural performances, programs, exhibitions, and activities throughout Indianapolis and Marion County.

“This year, each organization received multi-year awards to ensure stability and allow for future planning,” said Nikki Kirk, Director of Community Impact & Strategic Investment at Indy Arts Council. “The program introduced an additional operating budget level to distribute allocations more equitably. We’re also supporting fiscal sponsorships to help developing organizations build capacity.”

“The City of Indianapolis is committed to advancing racial and socioeconomic equity and the Indy Arts Council’s work is an important part of our strategy,” said Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas. “Since adopting its equity priorities in 2016, the Annual Grants Program has increased access to funding from 45 arts and cultural organizations to 91. We’re proud to continue supporting these organizations to expand their impact to even more artists and residents.”

The Annual Grants Program has been core to the City’s support for arts and culture since 1987. In 2021, new scoring criteria were applied that center racial and socioeconomic equity across three areas: community impact, artistic alignment, and organizational capacity. 

A juried panel, administered by Indy Arts Council, evaluated applications April 9-12 via Zoom. The review process was open to the public.

The top 10-scoring organizations (in alphabetical order)
El Sistema Indianapolis; Fonseca Theatre Company; Harrison Center; iibada Dance Company;  Indy Dance Council; The Performing Arts Conservatory; Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, Inc.; The Sapphire Theatre Company, Inc.; Summer Stock Stage Inc.; and Urban Musical Theatre.

“We are grateful for the City’s investment in this program for the past 37 years,” said Julie Goodman, Indy Arts Council president & CEO. “We appreciate their recognition of our fast-growing arts & culture sector through the 91 organizations funded this year, including the 63% of BIPOC-led organizations that got increases in funding.”  

2024 Annual Grants Program recipients
Organizations new to the program are marked with an asterisk. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $72,000 and were distributed based on four operating budget categories. 

The 2024 Annual Grants Program review panelists included: Janine Christiano, Director of Strategic Partners, Race Forward – GARE; Keya Crenshaw, Founder, Black Chick Media; Ernest Disney-Britton, Consultant, Indy Arts Council; Karla Estela Rivera, Consultant and Performer; Sarah Hempstead, Indy Arts Council Board Member, Principal & CEO of Schmidt Associates; Rochelle Jerry, Director of Development, Indy Arts Council; Malcolm McClain, Program Officer, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Adam Santalla Pierce, Vice President, Community & Artist Support, Arts & Science Council; Jainelle Robinson, Community Engagement Officer, ArtOps; and Susan Williams, Advisory Board Member, Indy Arts Council.

Media contact: Melissa Rowe, mrowe@indyarts.org. 

Indy Arts Council is central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy and services agency. Our mission is to foster meaningful engagement in the arts by nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive. Read our Equity Statement.