Indy Arts Council

Indy Arts Council announces live pop-up performances, art-making stations & more at 13 Indianapolis locations during Taylor Swift concert weekend Nov. 1-3

People of Culture

Swift City Sessions

The Indy Arts Council announces a series of live performances and interactive art-making stations during the highly anticipated Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert weekend in Indianapolis November 1-3. These programs are part of the larger “Swift City” activations unveiled today in collaboration with Visit Indy, Downtown Indy, and Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, inviting fans and concertgoers downtown to enjoy pre-concert celebrations, activities and events. Indianapolis is expecting 200,000 people throughout the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Karl Damon

Indy Arts Council is partnering with Musical Family Tree (a non-profit dedicated to connecting artists and audiences in Indiana), and INSPIRE Music Collective (empowering youth, musicians, and creatives through the universal language of music) to curate the pop-up performances, and ArtMix (dedicated to transforming the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art) to activate the Indianapolis Artsgarden with Taylor Swift-themed artmaking activities led by local artists. Funding for this program is provided by the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County.

“As Indianapolis plays host to upwards of 200,000 visitors for these monumental concert dates as part of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, we are thrilled to highlight the breadth of local talent our city has to offer,” said Kavita Mahoney, Vice President at Indy Arts Council. “The economic ripple effects of Indianapolis being a part of this historic tour will be significant to our city, and the unique opportunity for us to spotlight our artists and performers throughout our public spaces is huge for the arts community and our community as a whole.”

"We are thrilled to highlight the breadth of local talent our city has to offer." Kavita Mahoney, Vice President at Indy Arts Council.

Swift City Sessions: Pop-up Performances

Friday, November 1 | 2-6 p.m.

Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 | Noon-6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Barton & 2nd That

Pop-up performances are curated by Kati Taylor of Musical Family Tree and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd of INSPIRE Music Collective. Over 100 of Indy’s most talented musicians and spoken word artists will take over 13 outdoor locations in downtown Indianapolis during Taylor Swift’s final stop on her U.S. tour. Visitors can enjoy live acoustic sets, instrumental groups and poetry while exploring the Swift City campus. All performances will take place outdoors (unless otherwise noted) and are rain or shine.

  • Bicentennial Unity Plaza
  • Capitol Street Underpass
  • Georgia Street East
  • Georgia Street West
  • Hudnut Commons
  • Indiana Convention Center East
  • Indiana Convention Center West
  • Indiana Repertory Theatre
  • Indianapolis Artsgarden (indoors)
  • Lugar Plaza
  • Monument Circle
  • Starbucks Patio (Meridian & Pearl)
  • Washington and West

“Musical Family Tree connects artists and audiences in Indiana, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to do just that when this major spotlight is on our city and our arts community,” said Musical Family Tree Founder Jeb Banner. “Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has connected people across the globe for nearly two years, and we’re excited to see the impact in Indianapolis and underscore the celebration of music and art.”

Swift City Sessions: Make & Take Art Stations

Friday, November 1 | 2-6 p.m.

Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 | 1-6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of ArtMix

Make & take art stations are produced by Britt Sutton and Sarah Jane Bryant of ArtMix. Swifties are invited to the Indianapolis Artsgarden for free art-making activities led by ArtMix teaching artists. Craft your own eras-themed sunglasses, flower crowns, guitar pics, friendship bracelets and more.

“ArtMix is excited to bring make and take art sessions to Swifties of all ages,” said ArtMix CEO Britt Sutton. “Teaching artists will provide six accessible, Eras-themed art activities throughout the weekend in the Indianapolis Artsgarden along with friendship bracelet stations open everyday. We are grateful to the Indy Arts Council for including us in this project that is beyond our ‘wildest dreams.’

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