150 years later, a mother’s prairie diary inspires Indianapolis art exhibition
Janet Fry drew inspiration from her great-great-grandmother’s writings to create a multimedia art exhibition titled “The 1875 Diary Project.”
Arts/Culture
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Jazz-R&B duo from New York to play historic Ivy Tech venue
Acute Inflections, a New York-based jazz-R&B duo, will perform at an Indianapolis venue with a musical history that includes Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton.
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Famed guitars, cultural artifacts of Jim Irsay Collection to be auctioned
New York-based auction house Christie’s announced the plan to sell items collected by late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Irsay said he once turned down an offer of $1.15 billion to sell the collection.
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Public art installation designed for Columbus lives on in Muncie
Richard McCoy, executive director of Landmark Columbus Foundation, said the interactive art installation “Designed by the Public” addresses a challenge faced by Indianapolis.
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Q&A: After music career, Nate Olp finds second act in leather crafting
His studio and shop, which lists wallets from $40 to $160 and bags from $280 to $375 on its website, is now open on First Fridays and by appointment at the Factory Arts District.
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Articles
Author Sarah Layden views this month’s Proof festival as literary entry point
Following its single-day debut in 2024, Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest is expanding to two days of author readings, panel discussions and workshops.
While Broad Ripple awaits new sculpture, two others are in disrepair
The planned installation of a 30-foot-tall sculpture in Broad Ripple is bringing attention to neglected pieces of public art in the neighborhood.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra season to begin with ‘Dolly Parton’s Threads’
The Indianapolis shows, Sept. 19-20, were among the first 11 announced for the concert that features orchestral arrangements of hit songs.
Films starring Julia Roberts, Sydney Sweeney highlight Heartland lineup
More than 100 feature films make up the Heartland lineup, including 19 world or United States premieres and nine designated as Indiana Spotlight films.
Water-themed sculpture brings art to new Elanco campus
“Water in Dripping, River” is a stainless steel artwork in Zheng Lu’s signature format that depicts splashes of water captured in midair.
IBJ Podcast: Dave Lindquist previews can’t-miss events on 2025-2026 A&E calendar
For this week’s episode of the IBJ Podcast, Editor Lesley Weidenbener talked with Dave about how he decides what makes the IBJ’s A&E Fall Preview guide list and which events he’s most excited about.
Broad Ripple sculpture receives green light from zoning board
The Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals approved the artwork’s placement at the northwest corner of Westfield Boulevard and College Avenue.
Butter fine art fair announces West Coast exhibition in 2026
The event will mark the first full staging of GangGang’s signature fine art fair outside of Indianapolis. Additional pop-up versions are scheduled in Chicago and Miami.
A&E Preview: 130+ must-see exhibits, concerts and events for the 2025-26 season
IBJ arts reporter Dave Lindquist has chosen more than 130 must-see exhibits, concerts and events for the 2025-26 season.
A&E Preview: Artist hopes ‘Gavin’ structure anchors ‘a resurgence in Broad Ripple’s creative spirit’
The initiative to elevate the arts in Broad Ripple is the brainchild of Taggart Birge, founder of the Birge Family Foundation.
La Plaza cancels annual Fiesta celebration over ‘deep concern’ for safety
The organization did not specifically say why the Hispanic Heritage Month event was being canceled, but the announcement comes as the federal government is ramping up its efforts to detain and deport immigrants.
Public art takes shape at Cory Constantine’s 900 North Studios
Constantine, 34, oversees a staff of 11 full-time employees and three part-timers at 900 North Studios, which occupies 12,000 square feet in a building near the intersection of East Washington Street and South Keystone Avenue.
Indiana Music History Project to open new lounge at Flanner Buchanan building
The nonprofit focused on preserving the legacies of Indiana musicians, already operates a public gallery in the building.
Indianapolis Opera perseveres to reach 50th anniversary
On March 22, Indianapolis Opera will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a gala at Hilbert Circle Theatre. The event will feature the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra accompanying a roster of high-profile singers from the opera’s past and present.
Circle City’s identity drives art program at InterContinental Hotel
The luxury hotel pays tribute to Broad Ripple High School alum David Letterman among 24 pieces displayed in lobbies, hallways, meeting rooms and guest rooms.
Q&A with Le’Deana Brown, magazine founder and cultural connector
Brown spoke with IBJ about Midwest Leak magazine, the magazines she read as an adolescent, why she opened a community gathering space and what it’s like to be part of the “Keepers of Culture” mural.
After termination, Newfields HR executive makes discrimination claim
Ernest Gause says the art museum and gardens fired him after he repeatedly told CEOs things about discriminatory business practices within the organization they didn’t want to hear.
2024 Newsmaker: Mali and Alan Bacon
The husband-and-wife team founded GangGang, a cultural development and social justice organization that supports Black artists and the creative economy, in 2020. GangGang has since been part of some of the city’s biggest cultural events.
Q&A with entrepreneur and investor John Thompson: ‘I’m a portfolio guy’
John Thompson is currently invested in a handful of companies, including Metaimpact, MakeMyMove and Scale Computing, all based in Indianapolis, and Spokenote, which is based in Fishers.