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Indianapolis Art Center

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Coordinates:39°52′40″N86°08′37″W/ 39.877807°N 86.143639°W/39.877807; -86.143639
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Indianapolis Art Center
Front entrance of the Indianapolis Art Center in 2019.
Map
Established1934;90 years ago(1934)
LocationIndianapolis,Indiana,United States
Coordinates39°52′40″N86°08′37″W/ 39.877807°N 86.143639°W/39.877807; -86.143639
TypeArt center
Visitors206,823(2019)[1]
DirectorMark Williams[1]
Websitewww.indplsartcenter.orgEdit this at Wikidata

TheIndianapolis Art Centeris anart centerlocated inIndianapolis, Indiana,United States.The center, founded in 1934 by theWorks Project Administrationduring theGreat Depressionas the Indianapolis Art League, is located along theWhite River.It features fine art exhibitions, art classes and studios, a library with over 5,000 titles, and the ARTSPARK nature and art parks.[2][3][4]As of 2008 the Indianapolis Art Center featured over 50 annual exhibitions and had over 3,000 members.[5]

History[edit]

IAC's main entrance, designed by Michael Graves

William Kaeserfounded the non-profit Indianapolis Art League in 1934. The group that would eventually become the Indianapolis Art Center was funded as aWorks Progress Administrationproject under PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt's administration during theGreat Depression.Kaeser, anAustriangraduate of theHerron School of Art and Design,had started organizingadult educationart study groups, starting with a group of ten women at Public School 72. In 1938, the art study groups formed into the Indianapolis Art Students' League, its name and character influenced by the populistArt Students League of New York.[2]

Due togas rationingduringWorld War II,classes were located at various venues throughout Indianapolis, eventually settling at Public School 66. By the 1950s, the group had to seek other quarters and finally settled at the Holliday House atHolliday Parkin 1952.[2][6]The House served as the first permanent venue for the Indianapolis Art League until it burned down in 1958.[2]

After the fire, the Art League beganraising fundsfor a new facility, and in 1960 they becameincorporatedas the Indianapolis Art League Foundation. Major gifts were made by members, corporations, the public, the Elsie Sweeney Foundation and the Indianapolis Foundation, as well as a land gift at 3103 North Pennsylvania St. by John and Marguerite Fehsenfeld. The Art League built its first new facility with twoart studioclassroomsand alobby.

Twelve to fifteen years later, the League sought new space, and in 1976 raised $300,000, with large gifts from the Indianapolis Foundation andLilly Endowment.[2][7]With director M. Steele Churchman, they built a new 10,200 sq ft (950 m2). venue along theWhite RiverinBroad Ripple Village;it had five studios, a gallery, alibraryand offices.[2][7]Classes doubled within the first year—totaling 40 a week. With these successes, in 1976 the Art League hired its firstexecutive directorJoyce Sommers;she was a former student who had become a board member at the center.[2][8]

In the early 1980s the Center attempted to run a retail store on site, but it failed and they closed it. The sale allowed the center to buy more land.[8]The Art League's architectural expansion began in 1989 with the Riverfront Performance Terrace. By 1993 the Art League hosted 100 classes a week with 55 part-time faculty members.

By 1994 they had raised $7.6 million in their capital campaign and completed the new building in 1996.[2][8]That year the Art League changed its name to the Indianapolis Art Center, in accordance with its major expansion.[2][9]In 2009 Sommers retired after 33 years of service.

After a national searchPatrick Flahertybecame president and executive director in September 2014.

Architecture[edit]

The Indianapolis Art Center's 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) building was designed by Indiana-born architectMichael Graves.[9][10]Graves, a former high school classmate of director Joyce Sommers, was handpicked by Center leaders. He was given complete creative control over the project, $6 million at the time of original construction. Funds were raised by a capital campaign, a major contribution from theRuth Lilly,theLilly Endowmentand other corporate and civic organizations. Construction was completed by Indianapolis-based Shiel-Sexton Company, who was chosen by a committee of local architects, and was completed on time and on budget.[9]

Inside looking out of the Ruth Lilly Library

The first phase was started in October 1994 and completed in August 1995 with astuccobuilding housing a 225-seat auditorium, art gallery and six art studios.[7][9]Upon the demolition of the original building, the second phase began, to be opened May 31, 1996.[7][9]The new $8.2 million facility would feature three art galleries, 13 art studios, a gift shop and auditorium. It is four times larger than the previous building.[9][10]The Center features Grave's signature style: the building's entryporticohas 32-foot (9.8 m) columns, large rectangular and round windows flank smaller counterparts throughout the facade, and the stucco is paintedpeach,red ochreandblue.[7][9][10]The back of the building features another portico that overlooks the White River and a sculpture garden.[9][10]

The two buildings are connected by the Churchman-Fehsenfeld Studio. The west building is home to the Ruth Lilly Library, anoctagonaltwo-story atrium with 12-foot (3.7 m)-diameter circular windows on all sides, and a fireplace with ceramic tiles fired in the center's own kiln.[7][9]The west building features the center's administrative offices, the Stan & Sandy Hurt conference room, a studio prep and storage area, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and computer graphics studios. The east half of the building consists of studios for woodworking, glassblowing, ceramics, metalsmithing, steel and stone sculpture and benchwork.[7]

With this building, Graves was not seeking an Indianapolis connection in the architectural design, but a look related to the industrial look of studio art spaces and renovated industrial spaces ofSan FranciscoorSoHo.[7][11]The east and west side of the building are capped bychimneys—one for the library and one for the kiln, adding to the industrial look and feel of the space. Upon its completion, Sommers stated, "The new building has given us greater visibility and a much stronger community profile."[11]

Education[edit]

Historically the Art Center's program has been influenced byWestern arthistory and techniques. Artists such asElmer Taflingertaught at the Art League until 1965.[2]The mid-1990s renovations allowed for new art studio and classrooms to be built. An overhead crane is on campus for transporting steel and stone into the sculpture studio. The glassblowing studio had enabled the center to become one of only nine facilities in the country to allow regular public classes.[9]As of 2008 the center was working towards a fundraising goal of $15 million to complete a master plan for the glass art program.[5]

The Marilyn K. Glick School of Art serves as the center's on-site educational facility, with programming including classes aboutglass making,woodworking,steel fabrication,ceramics,metalsmithing,textiles,painting,furniturerefinishing, andphotography.[2][4][12]The center also offers artist referral services and a library with over 5,000 volumes that are open to the public.[3]

IAC offers nearly 300 courses per semester to the public, with the fall and spring semesters hosting over 4,000 students.[3][9]Summer school is also offered working with upwards of 1,400 students. The IAC's Fine Arts Day Camp which teaches children ages 7–12 a variety of creative skills and youth age 10–13 specialized skills.PicassoCamp servespre-schoolchildren and involves learning about fine art and music. These youth camps hosted 400 youth in 2009.[3]In 2010 IAC started providing educational programming forFall Creek Academy,providing students with access to the campus and classes taught at the center and at the school.[13]IAC offers scholarships, opportunities in continuing education, selected certifications and classes forMarian Universitycredit.[14]

Exhibitions[edit]

The Indianapolis Art Centers's exhibition programming began in 1937, featuring the work of artists fromIndianaand theMidwestregion. They held their first annual art competition at the Lyman Brothers art gallery and throughout the city with exhibitions such as "The Indianapolis Art Students' League Annual Exhibition" which was held at theWilliam H. Block Co.for 15 years, the "500 Festival of Arts" in downtown storefronts until 1973, "Art 500" at theIndianapolis Convention Center,and since 1976 the biannual "Indiana Directions and Regional" at the Art League galleries.[2]

With its current home, three exhibition spaces anchor the Main Gallery in the center of the building, which stretches from the entrance to the rear exit.[9]IAC hosts a juried student show with prize money and opportunities for students to sell their work. The top five student winners receive the opportunity to exhibit during the faculty show.[15][16]

The center also hosts traveling exhibitions alongside its own curated exhibitions. In 1999 IAC hosted "Graham Nash and Nash Editions", organized by theButler Institute of American Art,featuring the photographs ofGraham Nashand related photographs from hisNash Editions.[17]As of 2010 Patrick Flaherty has served as exhibition director who through his work at IAC "would like to see is a demystification of art."[15]

Notable exhibitions[edit]

A Life in Art: Works by George Rickey[edit]

In the summer of 2009 IAC played host to a retrospective exhibit on thekineticsculptures,models and sketches of Indiana artistGeorge Rickey.The center also worked with theArts Council of Indianapolisand the City of Indianapolis to exhibit works of Rickey's throughout the city.[3]

Gardens and grounds[edit]

The Art Center's semi-wooded grounds cater to private and public events including theIndy Jazz Fest,Indiana Microbrewers Festival,Broad Ripple Music Fest,and theBroad Ripple Art Fair.[9][18][19]Located to the west of the main building is the Cultural Complex which was acquired by the Art Center in 2003 as a home for the fabric department,Writer's Center of Indianapolis,and a studio space.[20]

ARTSPARK[edit]

A view of the White River from the ARTSPARK

Founded in 2005, designed also by Michael Graves and located on IAC grounds, the ARTSPARK is a 12.5-acre (51,000 m2)sculpture gardenconnected to theMonon Trailand with access to the White River.[15][20][21]With a goal to bring "art, artists, and the community together through multi-sensory sculptures in an open-air setting," the park serves as a gallery without walls and a space for creating art outside.[20]Features of the ARTSPARK include theNina Mason PulliamSensory Path, anamphitheater,a riverfront deck, and over 30publicartworks.[7][9][21]The concept for the ARTSPARK formed in 1996 upon the completion of the Grave's designed building.[22]Funds began to be raised in the early 2000s (decade) and, by 2003, the center had raised $2.6 million, with a goal of $5.5 million.[8]Groundbreakingtook place for the park the first weekend of June, during the celebration of the 70th birthday of the IAC, A special groundbreaking took place that Friday at theIndiana School for the Blind and Visually Impairedto celebrate an area of the ARTSPARK dedicated to the students, which would feature the artworkCirclecreated by artistSadashi Inuzukaand students from the school.[22]The park features artworks byGary Freeman,Robert Stackhouse,Truman Lowe,Arnaldo Pomodoro,John Spaulding,among others.[20]

Administration[edit]

The Indianapolis Art Center is a501(c)(3)nonprofit directed by Patrick Flaherty and as of 2009 consists of 32 staff members and 616 volunteers.[3][23]IAC is governed by a board of 36 individuals and is led by Board Chair Marnie Maxwell. Board members represent a variety of regional organizations includingIndiana University,Eli Lilly and Company,Fifth Third Bank,IUPUI,KeyBank,as well as former chief executiveJoyce Sommers.[23]The Art Center's endowment consists of nine individual funds and entrance is free to the Center and grounds.[3][7]

Outreach[edit]

The Nina Mason Pulliam Sensory Path leading to the East entrance

From the 1950s into the 1980s IAC provided outreach programming forprisonsandmental healthprograms, sending volunteers to teach art classes to those imprisoned and suffering from mental disabilities.[24]The center began working with the city to create murals at public housing sites, creating art experiences for 10 housing sites, as well as theIndiana School for the Blind and Visually ImpairedandSt. Vincent New Hope.[14][24][25]

In 1989 the Art Center started its ArtReach program which strives to bring art awareness to youth at risk.[2]ArtReach programming provides young people with two hours of weekly art training, visits to the ARTSPARK for exploration of the art and grounds, and an opportunity to participate in the Michael Carroll ArtReach Exhibition in the Spring, allowing the students to have their artwork professionally exhibited at the center.[3]On the success of the program, former director Joyce Sommers states: "It's not over dramatic to say that art has helped so many kids find a way to find faith in themselves... when they start making art they are looking inside of themselves and they end up with a product and their self esteem builds. We use the instrument of art for that, besides its intrinsic value."[24]In 2009 IAC introduced The American Scene, which during its inaugural year hosted 56 youth ages 5–18. The American Scene encourages young people to make an impact within their community withpublic art.Students work with a professional artist to select the location for the artwork, and collaborate with each other and the artist to create a themed artwork relating to Indianapolis. The American Scene ended with artwork made by the children and individuals of theWheeler Missionbeing exhibited at the "Beyond Perceptions" exhibition. The SMART program allows 14 young people and their mentors to attend 16 class sessions, three workshops and field trips in the summer.[3]

Events[edit]

IAC hosts a number of events to fundraising purposes with the most notable being theBroad Ripple Art Fair.[3]Major indoor events and lectures take place at the facilities Frank M. Basile Auditorium.[12]IAC's summer gala fundraiser is ArtSparkle, which hosts upwards of 400 people, benefiting the center's educational programming.[3]Film series are also part of event programming, taking place within the Basile Auditorium. In 2008 the IAC hosted the Klipsch Chinese Film Festival.[12]

Broad Ripple Art Fair[edit]

Every year the IAC hosts over 22,000 visitors for the Broad Ripple Art Fair.[26]Started in 1971, the first "art fair" was held in a private home, then the streets ofBroad Ripple;the IAC directly benefits from the admission fee paid by guests.[2][25][27]The festival features over 225 juried artists andcraftspeoplefrom the United States andCanada,livemusic,children's activities and food.[3][27]

Day of the Dead[edit]

From 2000 to 2012, the Art Center marked the annualDay of the Dead(also known asAll Saints Day) on November 1 to celebrate the growingLatinoethnic population in Indianapolis. Through bringing people of different backgrounds together, the Art Center seeks to share the historical, artistic and cultural experiences of the holiday to the city. A major exhibition of altars and shrines took place, Latino artists are exhibited, and workshops and a celebration are featured.[28]After hosting the 2011 exhibition, the Indianapolis Art Center turned the festivities over theIndiana State Museum.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Most Popular Indianapolis-Area Attractions".Indianapolis Business Journal.RetrievedNovember 11,2020.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnBodenhamer, David J. (1994).The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.Indiana University Press.
  3. ^abcdefghijklIRSForm 990.Filed by the Indianapolis Art Center, 2009
  4. ^abJim Brown (2010)."Indianapolis Art Center: Educating and inspiring the community".Attractions.HyperLocal. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-08-12.Retrieved5 April2010.
  5. ^ab"Influential Women: Joyce A. Sommers".Indianapolis Business Journal.10 November 2008.ProQuest220633702.
  6. ^"Holliday Park History"(PDF).Indy Parks.Retrieved5 April2010.
  7. ^abcdefghij"History".About Us.Indianapolis Art Center. Archived fromthe originalon 12 December 2010.Retrieved5 April2010.
  8. ^abcdMaeglin, Kathy (12 May 2003). "Nurturing Indy Art Center is her bliss".Indianapolis Business Journal.ProQuest220625139.
  9. ^abcdefghijklmnEckert, Toby (27 May 1995). "Art's state of the art".Indianapolis Business Journal.
  10. ^abcdMiller, Laura Novello (28 August 1995). "New facilities demonstrate growth of arts".Indianapolis Business Journal.
  11. ^abKroloff, Reed (1996). "Graves goes home".Architect.85(10): 46.ProQuest227850929.
  12. ^abc"Indianapolis Art Center Goes World Class with Klipsch".Retrieved5 April2011.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^"Fall Creek Academy Partners with the IAC".Archived fromthe originalon 15 March 2012.Retrieved5 April2011.
  14. ^ab"Special Programs".Archived fromthe originalon 21 June 2011.Retrieved5 April2011.
  15. ^abcDavid Hoppe (2010)."Grassroots art: The Indianapolis Art Center's Patrick Flaherty".Visual Arts.Nuvo.Retrieved5 April2010.
  16. ^"Annual Student Show".Visual Arts+Museums.Nuvo. Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2016.Retrieved5 April2010.
  17. ^"Indianapolis Art Center".Dialogue.22(1): 48. 1999.
  18. ^"Indiana Microbrewers Festival".Festivals+Special Events.Nuvo. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2016.Retrieved5 April2010.
  19. ^"Broad Ripple Music Fest at the Indianapolis Art Center".Festivals+Special Events.Nuvo. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 4 April 2012.Retrieved5 April2010.
  20. ^abcd"ARTSPARK MAP"(PDF).ARTSPARK.Indianapolis Art Center. 2010. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 26 September 2010.Retrieved5 April2010.
  21. ^ab"Art Attack".Parks & Recreation.42(8): 76. 2007.Retrieved5 April2011.
  22. ^abJenica Schultz (2004)."Indianapolis to break ground on Artspark".City & State.Indiana Daily Student. Archived fromthe originalon 29 March 2012.Retrieved6 April2010.
  23. ^ab"Indianapolis Art Center, Inc".Retrieved5 April2011.
  24. ^abc"Joyce Sommers".Cultural Vision Awards.Nuvo. 1999. Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2010.Retrieved5 April2010.
  25. ^abWilliams-Gibson, Jessica (19 May 2006). "Broad Ripple Art Fair offers local minority artwork".Indianapolis Recorder.ProQuest367659790.
  26. ^Indianapolis Art Center2009-2010 Annual Report.Indianapolis Art Center, 2010
  27. ^ab"2011 Broad Ripple Art Fair FAQ".FAQ.Indianapolis Art Center. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 4 April 2011.Retrieved5 April2010.
  28. ^"History and Role of Art Center".History.Indianapolis Art Center. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2010.Retrieved5 April2010.

External links[edit]

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Official website

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