Indy Arts Center CEO + Executive Director Mark Williams recently described their Building Community Through Art campaign. "It includes major renovations and improvements, both interior and exterior throughout our campus. The ARTSPARK is going to get a complete overhaul and will be rebuilt in a manner aligned of Michael Graves' original vision for it that includes raised accessible walkways with native planting underneath and a riverbank stabilization and preservation project. We started a master plan process several years ago that looked at the entire 12-acre campus with an eye toward community needs both now and into the future."

Other campaign initiatives include renovating the Marilyn K. Glick School of Art, strengthening the Monon Trail Visibility and Connection, renovating the Cultural Complex Building, renovating the Basil Theater and creating an endowment to maintain campus improvements.

The IAC IS A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. On-line donations can be made at: https://indyartcenter.org/campaign/ or by check, gifts of appreciated stock, donations through donor advised funds, IRA rollover gifts and gifts included in estate planning.

According to their Building Community Through Art brochure, the IAC offers over 1,750 studio art classes annually in areas like clay, painting, glass arts and more. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate. IAC community programs like ArtReach and Art Troop reaches underserved children, seniors and veterans to discover and explore their artistic potential and continue to play a vital part in their lives. Free classes and workshop are available for military-connected students.

The 53rd annual One America Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair is the weekend of May 17-18 on their grounds at 820 East 67th Street. "The art fair is hands down Indy's best festival weekend. There are 175 artists that are juried in, seven bands, 14 food trucks and lot of hands-on activities and simply tons of fun," Williams noted. More information, including tickets, are available at: www.IndyArtCenter.org/BRAF. A special preview party on Friday, May 16th includes tickets for Saturday and Sunday plus a hospitality deck pass with complimentary food and drinks.

IAC general admission is free during their daily operations where patrons can experience up to 230 exhibitions per year.

As a lifelong artist and now Indy Art Center CEO, Williams reflected, "It's been very rewarding to see our community programming grow from the creation of our creative wellness programs to the expansion of our youth and senior art reach programs, our military connective programming and more. This is the quiet important work that we do throughout the community, not just on this campus."

The IAC's Mission is to provide accessible and inclusive art experiences that inspire creativity, educate, engage and enrich our community. More information is available by visiting: www.IndyArtCenter.org and by calling (317) 255-2464.

Mark Williams and the entire IAC staff, donors and students continue their vision in building the local community through art from their idyllic campus in Broad Ripple.