With his literary star on the rise, Maurice Broaddus connects with others
The author of sci-fi and fantasy novels was hired by Marvel Comics and publisher Smart Pop to write “Black Panther: T’Challa Declassified,” scheduled to publish in January.
Arts/Culture
Articles
Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre searching for first CEO, names interim chief
William Powell, a longtime business leader and arts management consultant in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, has been appointed to lead the not-for-profit organization for the rest of 2023.
100 years after his birth, guitarist Wes Montgomery remembered for understated mastery
“Wes Bound,” scheduled to premiere Feb. 26 on Bloomington public television station WTIU-TV Channel 30, is a centennial tribute to Montgomery, who was born on March 6, 1923
In graphic novel, Indianapolis poet revisits legacy of boxer Jack Johnson
Indianapolis native Adrian Matejka wrote the text for the graphic novel, which can be viewed as a companion to “The Big Smoke,” his award-winning 2013 poetry collection inspired by Johnson.
The Cabaret to launch its 2023 calendar with landmark jazz shows
Vocalist-bass player Esperanza Spalding and pianist Fred Hersch will play a pair of sold-out shows Jan. 8 at the Cabaret.
Indiana film critics select ‘Everything Everywhere’ as 2022’s best movie
Critics group gives special Indiana award to Joshua Hull, who co-wrote the screenplay of horror film ‘Glorious.’
Sarah Urist Green joins Butter team to help elevate Indianapolis artists
Indianapolis-based art historian Sarah Urist Green is part of the curatorial team for Butter fine art fair, scheduled Sept. 1-4 at the Stutz.
Acclaimed Indiana authors shortlisted for biennial awards
Books written by Ashley C. Ford, Adrian Matejka, Leah Johnson and Tamara Winfrey-Harris highlight contenders for Indiana Authors Awards.
Updated Eiteljorg galleries reframe the context of Native art
The $6 million upgrade of the Eiteljorg’ second floor exhibition space focuses on themes of Relation, Continuation and Innovation.
Madam C.J. Walker mural to follow Major Taylor in ‘Legends’ series
Indianapolis artist Tasha Beckwith is set to paint a mural to celebrate the legacy of entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, who built a hair-care product empire and became known as the “first self-made female millionaire” in the United States.
WonderRoad music festival organizers say they’ll succeed where others failed
During the past 20 years, several local festivals have come and gone. But WonderRoad planners say it has a reasonable shot at selling its first-year goal of 15,000 tickets.
City to make equity focus of cultural plan
The Department of Metropolitan Development is creating the city’s first cultural-equity plan—an effort to guide investment and resources into arts and attractions in a way that serves the entire community.
Colette Pierce Burnette looks forward to ‘heart’ work at Newfields
The museum’s annual meeting included the Indianapolis debut of the incoming CEO, the unveiling of what’s next for the Lume and an update on #BlackLivesMatter muralists.
Live music roars back with jam-packed summer concert series
Plus, see IBJ arts reporter Dave Lindquist’s picks for can’t-miss shows at a variety of area venues.
New Conner Prairie exhibit to focus on hundreds of years of Black history
With financing from Lilly Endowment and support from the Smithsonian Institution, Conner Prairie’s Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is expected to be fully open in 2023.
IBJ launches ‘After Hours’ newsletter focused on arts, entertainment
“After Hours” will be written by veteran pop culture reporter Dave Lindquist, who joined IBJ in October to cover the arts, restaurants and retail.
2021 Newsmaker: Alan Bacon, Mali Simone Jeffers, GangGang co-founders
Mali Simone Jeffers and Alan Bacon had the idea for cultural startup GangGang just more than a year ago, while sitting together one night on their couch: Why not incubate the creative economy and culture like you might a technology company or sector, while promoting equity along the way?
2021 Newsmaker: Darrianne Christian, Newfields board chair
The board at Newfields chose Christian to serve as the chair and lead the arts campus out of a race-related controversy that led to the resignation of its former president.
Arts community will ‘keep creating’ into 2022
Thanks to a $500,000 City-County Council allocation made possible through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the #IndyKeepsCreating initiative launched in 2020 will continue until March.
Indianapolis Opera takes shows on the road after buying its headquarters
Crews are spiffing up the grounds at the Basile Opera Center, the latest move in a rebirth of sorts for the opera company, which in August purchased the former church at 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. it’s been leasing for 10 years.