A spooktacular opportunity awaits…
This fall, The Garden will once again come to life with eerie and enchanting Garden Monsters, supported by Corteva, all crafted by local artists from natural materials to reflect the beauty of the season.
We’re calling all Indianapolis artists, organizations, and community groups to conjure up large-scale Garden Monsters for display during Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union September 27–November 2, 2025. This year’s theme, Thickets & Thorns, draws inspiration from tangled woods, twisted vines, and creatures lurking just beyond the brambles—crafted to surprise and delight, never to poke or prick. No sharp or dangerous elements will be installed.
Selected artists receive an honorarium and the chance to share their fang-tastic creations with thousands of guests during General Admission hours and at Harvest Nights this fall. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your twisted talent and join the monster magic. Applications close Friday, July 25 at 11 AM EST.
Key Details:
Applications Open: Tuesday, July 15 at 11 AM–Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11 AM EST
Acceptance Notifications Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Mandatory Onsite Orientation & Site Visit: Thursday, August 7, 2025, 6–8 PM
Final Creative Statement Due: Friday, August 29, 2025
Final Rendering & Supply List Due: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Installation Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 10 AM–2 PM (rain date Wednesday, September 24, 2025)
Maintenance Commitment: Artists or an artist representative must be available throughout the month to make repairs in the event of damage.
Honorarium Details:
Each participant will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a Newfields 2 Membership (new or renewal) and two complimentary tickets to Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union.
Payments will be made after successful installation of the Garden Monster.
Each Garden Monster includes a sign with your name, business/organization (if applicable), social media (if applicable), and a 100-word creative statement.
Guidelines:
Monsters are large-scale, outdoor installations measuring approximately 8-feet wide, 8- feet high, and 4-feet deep.
Monsters will be exposed to the elements and accessible to guests, staff, and volunteers for 30+ days.
Monsters are required to be fabricated from primarily natural materials.
For a full schedule and program overview, please review the 2025 Garden Monster Guidelines.