Creative Convergence Program Seeks Participant Communities

The Indiana Arts Commission is partnering with the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business to offer Creative Convergence, a team-based workshop and funding opportunity aimed at creative community development. Teams that participate will learn how to work together to advance arts and creativity in their community through training and a funded project.

ELIGIBILITY:  An eligible applicant meets ALL of the following criteria

• Located in Indiana
• Led by one of the following, to serve as the fiscal agent:
  • A 501c3 nonprofit organization
  • A convention or visitor’s bureau
  • An institution of higher education
  • A federally-recognized tribal government
  • A unit of local or county government
• Their 3-person team consists of:
  • One representative from government, economic development, or business community
  • One representative from an arts or civic organization
  • One local artist or other creative

The Creative Convergence program is a training and low barrier-grant program designed to help community leaders, organizational representatives, and artists/creatives better understand:

1. how to embed arts and creativity in community, economic planning, and solutions.
2. how to work collaboratively across sectors; and
3. how to effectively engage their community in the process.

Here’s what participating communities receives as part of Creative Convergence:

• A free two-day in-person workshop November 21-22, 2024, in Fishers, IN
• A $1,000 stipend per team to help cover travel to the workshop and accommodations
• A post-workshop project grant of up to $10,000 for an eligible arts + community project
• Ongoing coaching from Indiana Arts Commission/Indiana Communities Institute.

Program Timeline:

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 24, 11:59 pm ET
• Application Notification: Friday, October 4, 2024
• Workshop Dates: November 21-22, 2024
• Action Grant Period: March 1, 2025- February 28, 2026 (note: project idea does not need to be developed before September application)

View the guidelines to learn more about eligibility, selection criteria, and how to submit a strong application. Access the guidelines.

Apply to participate.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Lydia Campbell-Maher, Communities Services Manager, Indiana Arts Commission, lcampbellmaher@iac.in.gov  | (317) 618-1522