Work In Progress (WIP) Exchange Labs are in-person convenings for artists of all disciplines to gather in person to discuss topics of interest pertaining to creatives such as the status of current projects, their creative practices, and careers. Primary topics of discussion include projects attending artists are currently in the process of creating, technique and skill recommendations, sharing of both virtual and physical resources, sharing of specific past and present experiences as it pertains to creative careers, and their immediate local arts ecosystem. Work In Progress Exchange Labs are free to attend and are regionally based. Artists who participate in at least one Exchange Lab meeting are eligible to apply for the Work in Progress Exchange Labs Micro-Support Grant.

The Work In Progress (WIP) Exchange Labs Micro-Support Grant Program is a competitive grant program providing funding of between $250 - $1000 to support a current project connected to Exchange Lab discussions, topics, or an artist's individual practice. Artists of any discipline who have attended a minimum of one Exchange Lab are welcome to apply.

Host Sites The Work in Progress Exchange Labs are taking place at host sites around Indiana in 2025:

Western Region - Hosted by Greencastle Arts Council Counties: Benton, Clay, Fountain, Greene, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren Central Region - Hosted by Griffy's Art Supply Counties: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clinton, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Tipton

Eastern Region - Hosted by Richmond Art Museum Counties: Blackford, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne

Northern Region - Hosted by Chesterton Arts

Center Counties: Adams, Allen, Carroll, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Wabash, Wells, White, Whitley Southern Region - Hosted by New Harmony Project Counties: Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Dubois, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Washington

Arts Commission invests $2.4M to strengthen communities through art and creativity

(INDIANAPOLIS) Today, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it has awarded $2,438,998 to 345 nonprofit and public entities to fund arts projects and organizations around the state through the Fiscal Year 2026 Arts Organization Support and FY26 Spring Arts Project Support grant programs.   

During its July Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved the funding recommendations for the two grant programs. Applications were evaluated by 133 external grant reviewers from around the state and country with expertise in the arts, community development, and nonprofit management.  

Arts Organization Support grants provide annual operating support for the ongoing artistic and administrative functions of eligible arts organizations. Arts Project Support grants provide funding to Indiana nonprofit organizations and public entities for a specific arts project or arts activity(ies). The Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support programs are facilitated in partnership with the IAC Regional Arts Partners , who work alongside the agency to promote and expand participation in the arts in Indiana. Between both programs, 345 applications out of 545 received were recommended for funding, and 80 of Indiana’s 92 counties will receive direct investment through a funded arts organization or arts project.    

“This is an exciting time for our state and for the many organizations selected and their communities.” said Dave Haist, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “Each of our Commissioners believe deeply in the critical importance of the arts in making Indiana a place for all to want to live and work and for those not within our state to consider Indiana as a place to locate their families and businesses and invest in Indiana’s future.” 
 

Following are examples of Arts Organization Support grant recipients:  

• Traditional Arts Today, based in Dubois County, promotes, teaches, and preserves traditional art practices while embracing new art forms of the people and cultures that call Southern Indiana home. Based in a historic home in Ferdinand, Traditional Arts Today offers classes and provides a venue for regional artists to sell their work. 

• Fort Wayne Youtheatre’s mission is to educate, engage, and entertain regional youth and families through theatre arts. Fort Wayne Youtheatre provides arts education classes, camps, and workshops in acting, dance, voice, and technical theatre for youth, ages 3-18, with scholarships available to remove financial barriers to participation. 

View all Arts Organization Support recipients. Arts Organization Support grants operate on a two-year cycle, with applications next opening for Fiscal Year 2028.  

Following are examples of Arts Project Support Spring cycle grant recipients: 

• North Vernon Main Street was awarded an Arts Project Support grant to support the Art on Main program in Jennings County. The Art on Main program invites artists of all ages to submit their work for selection, with chosen pieces displayed on banners for two months in the community. The project will highlight local creativity and beautify the downtown district of North Vernon.  

• The Shirley Heinze Land Trust in Valparaiso will utilize an Arts Project Support grant to support the Nature in the Arts programming series. Nature in the Arts is a set of family-friendly, outdoor programs designed to engage community members on Shirley Heinze Land Trust nature preserves. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the ecological significance of each preserve, learning about different habitats, animals, and native plants through partner-led art activities. 

View all Arts Project Support grant recipients.  Arts Project Support grants are offered twice per fiscal year. Applications for the Fall cycle of the program are currently open and will be accepted through September 30th at 11:59PM ET.  

“Art and creativity create stronger, more connected Hoosier communities,” said Miah Michaelsen, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “Across Indiana, public funding for arts and creativity continually proves to be a high-return investment that improves the quality of life of Hoosiers and drives economic development within our state. We are proud to support organizations and projects that develop connections, foster the entrepreneurial spirit of communities, and create the kinds of places where people want to live, work, study, and stay.”  

CHESTERTON DESIGNATES NEW CHESTERTON TRACKSIDE ARTS AND CULTURAL DISTRICT AND RELEASES ARTIST REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Chesterton Branding Leadership Corporation (CBLC) is pleased to announce the designation of the new Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District.

Chesterton Town Council unanimously passed a resolution on Monday September 22, 2025 to designate and name the new arts and cultural district that encompasses the creative and artistic businesses, fine dining, retail, and parks in Chesterton’s thriving historic downtown. The Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District also overlaps an existing federally recognized historic district.

After a lengthy five-month community engagement process whereby Chesterton citizens and enthusiasts named approximately 140 cultural, historic, artistic, and meaningful assets throughout the community, a specific boundaried district was proposed that includes 57% of those named assets. The Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District extends from Grant Street to Indiana Avenue running north and south, and from Calumet Avenue to 5th Street running east and west incorporating both sides of the boundary streets.

“The district designation champions Chesterton’s already thriving arts and cultural scene and historic charm and recognizes the unique density our many artistic and creative businesses that make our community so unique and welcoming, “ says Rebecca Riley-Vargas, owner of Three Moons Fiberworks and CBLC President. “We are grateful for the opportunity to develop our own district with grant funding via Creative Convergence.”

The Creative Convergence initiative was created by the Indiana Arts Commission, in partnership with the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business, specifically to energize the intersection of the cultural and the municipal. Chesterton’s team is comprised of Chesterton Art Center Executive Director Hannah Hammond-Hagman; Jayde McAloon, owner of Pieces of Jayde; Rebecca Riley-Vargas, owner of Three Moons Fiberworks; and, representing the Town of Chesterton, Public Affairs Liaison Kevin Nevers.

All four serve on the Board of Directors of the Chesterton Branding Leadership Corporation, an independent 501c3 organization whose mission is to create and support a vibrant and thriving historic Downtown Chesterton community.

“We are grateful for the support of the community and the Town of Chesterton in the establishment of the Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District,” says Hannah Hammond-Hagman, Chesterton Art Center Executive Director. “This district will ignite our sense of place and community spirit and may inspire further investment in our growing community, and we are excited to work with an artist to build visibility for the project in the coming months.”

The next steps for the district include a Request for Proposals for an artist to design and fabricate special markers or sculptures to be installed throughout the district space to visually designate and beautify the district space for an artist fee of $7,000. Those pieces will be installed in Spring 2026 followed by a community-wide celebration.

For more information and to view the Request for Proposals, visit www.visitchesterton.org.

Caption for second image:

The Chesterton Town Council with the CLBC Creative Convergence Team after the vote to formalize the Chesterton Trackside Arts & Cultural District, from left to right: Town Council Member Jim Ton, R-1st, and Vice-President Erin Collins, D-2nd; Creative Convergence Team members Rebecca Riley-Vargas, Hannah Hammond-Hagman, Kevin Nevers, and Jayde McAloon; and Town Council Member Jennifer Fisher, R-5th, President Sharon Darnell, D-4th, and Member Dane Lafata, D-3rd

CHESTERTON ART CENTER ACQUIRES NEW FACILITY

Chesterton Art Center (CAC) is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a new building! The building is located at 116 South 4th Street, directly across the street from CAC’s existing building. The primary purpose of the expansion is toincrease the square footage of accessible classroom space. Once renovated, the building will feature two classrooms that will house both the ceramics and printmaking programs. Additionally, the building will serve as the hub for CAC’s growing ArtsConnect classes for adults aged 60+ and allow CAC to host larger community-oriented events.

“Every so often, an organization has a moment that defines its future. For Chesterton Art Center, this is that moment. We are moving forward with a transformational expansion of our facility—one that will reshape how we serve artists, students, and the broader public for generations to come,” said Hannah Hammond-Hagman, CAC Executive Director.

1992 was also one of those times. With the support of a generous donor, a two-story classroom was added to CACadjacent to the main gallery. Over thirty years ago, the decision to expand was based on the desire to create a dedicated space for studio art classes. In the intervening years, art education has become a foundational part of CAC’s work. Inviting people from the community through CAC’s doors and helping those people find their creative voices by teaching them the necessary skills has been a resounding success!

That decision also led to the growth that has brought CAC to the current moment. In those original classrooms,CAC now hosts over 150 classes and workshops annually. This summer, when CAC learned that the building acrossthe street was going to become available, Hammond-Hagman and the CAC Board of Directors were already awarethat CAC needed to do something to meet the growing need for more space to serve our community of artists andstudents.

“We recognized that our current operations were at capacity, and this opportunity came at a perfect time for us togrow our programming to better serve our cherished community,” said Jane Delligatti, CAC Board Chair. She wentto say, “Just like in 1992, a generous benefactor emerged who made this acquisition possible; someone whobelieves in the valuable work CAC does is in the Duneland community.”

For Hammond-Hagman, the vision is more far-reaching than the physical growth of CAC’s facility: “This expansion is about more than adding space. It’s about building a creative home that reflects the heart of our community—a place where imagination and learning intersect and where we connect through art.”

CAC expects to open their new classrooms to the community in early 2026. Between now and that time, there is a lot of work to do, from renovations to fundraising to making a vision a reality.

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