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The Indy Art Center is seeking financial gifts to renovate its Marilyn K. Glick School of Art building and outdoor Artspark in Broad Ripple.
Leaders of the art center, 820 E. 67th St., announced Monday the public phase of an $8.8 million capital campaign. Along with work on the building and its campus, the capital campaign earmarks $2 million for an endowment expansion to fund ongoing maintenance.
Billed as “Building Community Through Art,” the campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the Indy Art Center’s 91-year history.
Funders committed $8.5 million, or more than 95% of the goal, during a quiet phase of the campaign launched in 2023. According to the Indy Art Center, lead gifts were donated by Lilly Endowment Inc., Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation and Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
“Since we were founded in 1934, the Indy Art Center has been all about community,” said Mark Williams, the organization’s executive director, in a written statement. “Whether you’ve taken classes, enjoyed exhibitions, visited Artspark, attended art fairs or even been married here, now’s your opportunity to give back.”
To help reach the $8.8 million goal, members of the Indy Art Center board plan to match every donated dollar up to $100,000. For information about giving, visit indyartcenter.org.
Renovations planned for the Marilyn K. Glick School of Art building, a 1996 structure designed by Indianapolis native Michael Graves, include:
- a new HVAC system
- new seating, flooring and technology in the Basile Auditorium
- repaired classroom studios for clay, drawing, fibers, glass, jewelry, metals, painting, photo, digital, print, book arts, wood and sculpture
- new studio equipment fiber and glass classes
- remodeled restrooms and repaved parking lots.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Artspark, also designed by celebrated architect Graves (1934-2015). The signature sculpture in the 9.5-acre park is “Twisted House,” John McNaughton’s topsy-turvy structure that’s bent into an arch.
Improvements planned for the Artspark, which borders the White River to the north and the Monon Trail to the east, include:
- a new trail system made up of a boardwalk and walkways through the park and along the White River
- a set of stairs to connect to the Monon Trail
- stabilization practices to reinforce the riverbank
- additional signage.
“We are proud to support the creative, multigenerational work of the Indy Art Center,” said Gene D’Adamo, CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, in a written statement. “Not only is the center a place for children and their families to learn, but it is also leading the way in connecting nature and art to communities along the White River.”
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