An Indiana Cultural District is a well-recognized, labeled, mixed-use area with a unique, authentic art and cultural identity. The IAC provides project funding for designated Indiana Cultural Districts, facilitates statewide collaboration through the Indiana Cultural District Consortium, and provides other capacity-building opportunities for cultural district leadership.
To apply, the applicant must
- Be the municipal government in which the proposed cultural district is located
- Submit a letter of intent through the IAC’s online system
- Be recognized as a Spotlight Community
Timeline
| Indiana Cultural District application due | April 1, 2021, 4:30 pm eastern |
| Public application review meeting (click here to watch the recording) | May 5, 2021, 11:30 am eastern |
| Indiana Cultural District Designation announcement | Mid-June 2021 (by email) |
Get Started
- 2021 Spotlight Communities are invited to apply.
- Download the guidelines
- Contact the program manager
- The IAC tentatively plans to accept Letters of Intent again in January 2022. To best prepare for the IAC's robust LOI requirements, we strongly recommend interested applicants reach out to Paige Sharp (psharp@iac.in.gov) as soon as possible.
Click here for a sample city/county resolution.
Evaluation Criteria and Resources
- Arts and Culture Identity
Application Criteria
Resource(s)
The community has a unique, authentic arts and cultural identity, and it is articulated clearly.
- Uniqueness example: Avenue of the Architects in Columbus Arts and Entertainment District
The cultural district identity and experience is connected to the history or long-standing traditions and culture of the place and its residents.
- Cultural history example: Arts Village Brown County - historical artist colony, plein air tradition, site of TC Steele Studio
- Cultural history exercise: Teaching Creative Districts to Uncover their Past
- Cultural history toolkit: Mural and Map Community History
The cultural district currently has a high concentration and a variety of types of arts and culture assets and programming available year-round and on nights and weekends.
- Cultural assets example: Arts Village Brown County
- Cultural assets guide: Creative Assets Inventory Guide
- Cultural assets: Inventory template (you may submit this template or another format of an assets inventory)
- Map example: Noblesville Cultural Arts District
- Map example: NoCo Arts & Cultural District
The cultural district is recognizable and well-known (both physically and in reputation) to residents and visitors as a vibrant center for creativity, arts and culture.
- Recognition example: Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District
- Recognition tips: Establishing Your Cultural Brand
- Cultural Development and Leadership
Application Criteria
Resource(s)
Organizations and programming in the cultural district empower residents and visitors to learn about the arts and culture and express themselves creatively.
Arts Learning Experiences example: Tippecanoe Arts and Cultural District - Arts Intersect
Artists (of any discipline or approach) are active in the cultural district such as offering programs, selling products, using studio space, etc.
Active artists activity: Where are artists in my community?
Toolkit: Find an Artist
Artists and arts and culture organizations partner with others to identify resources that will sustain their work and life in the community, such as small business resources, professional development, access to leadership or special funding.
Partnerships for Arts Resources tips: Artists Thrive "I work with artists" self-assessment
Toolkit: Health and Housing for Artists
Arts, cultural and community collaboration: new and innovative cultural and arts assets (such as temporary or permanent art spaces, activities, local or visiting artists, etc.) within or nearby the cultural district.
Innovation examples: Exhibit Columbus, Wabash Walls, Secretly Summit
- Community Development
Application Criteria
Resource(s)
An existing community development plan includes quality of life goals for those who live and work in or near the cultural district (i.e. access to workspace, housing affordability, access to public transportation, access to groceries, safety, access to a high quality school, etc.).
- Wellbeing resources: Creative People Power
- Guide: Road to the Community Plan
Community development goals involving the cultural district will clearly support the community’s growth and wellbeing in measurable outcomes.
- Wellbeing resources: Creative People Power
An inclusive group of perspectives (i.e. diversity in race, gender, ability, grassroots, leadership, etc.) continually informs community development plans involving the cultural district.
- Accessibility resources: here or contact the IAC accessibility coordinator, Stephanie Haines shaines@iac.in.gov 317-232-1274
Local artists and/or arts and culture leaders have been and continue to be involved as partners in the ongoing planning and implementation of community development strategies that impact the cultural district and/or local creative ecosystem.
- Artist partner resources: Why Municipalities and Artists Partner
- Artist partner example: The Fargo Project
- Artist partner toolkit: IRRIGATE - Artist-led community development
- Economic Development/Tourism Development
Application Criteria
Resource(s)
The local economic development plan incorporates strategies to support and build upon arts and culture assets in the cultural district. (LOI)
Local artists and/or arts and culture leaders have been and continue to be involved as partners in the ongoing planning and implementation of economic development strategies that impact the cultural district and/or local creative ecosystem.
Artist partner toolkit: Guide for business districts to work with local artists
Existing assets like historic structures are recognized, embraced, utilized and/or future opportunities to do so are included in a revitalization goals or efforts.
The cultural district partners with local and/or regional tourism such as in-kind marketing, participation on a guiding team, etc.
- Cultural District Planning and Management
Application Criteria
Resource(s)
The cultural district has a current work plan with clear, measurable goals.
- Goals exercise: The Momentum Formula
- Work plan tips: Creating a Roadmap/Strategies for Success
- Work plan tips: Managing and Measuring Success
- Work plan examples: Mancos (CO) Creative District Strategic Plan; Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District goals and strategic plan
A strong, sustainable leadership/management model exists to move the cultural district plan forward.
Coming soon!
A guiding team of relevant partners actively collaborates to move the cultural district's long range plan forward. This team includes local artists and/or cultural sector leaders, key public, nonprofit and private sector leaders, tourism, community and economic development partners, and others as appropriate.
- Partners resources: Call Yourself Creative - Align
Appropriate resources exist (i.e. funding, partners, etc.) to move the cultural district plan forward.
Coming soon!