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    5. Arts Council of Indianapolis
    Arts Council of Indianapolis logo

    Arts Council of Indianapolis

    ActiveArts, Culture & Humanities
    INDIANAPOLIS, INWebsite3176313301

    About Arts Council of Indianapolis

    To champion arts & culture. A creative life for all.

    Focus Areas

    arts & culturepublic artartist grants and fellowshipsexhibitions and performance spacesarts advocacyprofessional development for artists

    Who They Fund

    nonprofit arts organizationsindividual artists (including freelance/contract artists)performing arts venues and presenterscommunity-based cultural programs

    Funding Style

    program supportemergency/COVID relief

    About Arts Council of Indianapolis

    Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc. gives almost entirely to arts organizations and artists in Indianapolis and Central Indiana, with every listed recipient in the United States and 100% of grants going to Indiana-based recipients. Its recent grantmaking shows a strong public-facing arts profile: theater, museums, symphony, dance, and community arts groups appear repeatedly in the record. The largest recent awards include $99,411 each to Indiana Repertory Theatre and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, both for arts programming and COVID relief, alongside other large grants to major Indianapolis institutions. The foundation also supports artist-facing opportunities, including fellowships, awards, calls for entry, and compensation for featured artists. That mix suggests a funder balancing institutional arts infrastructure with direct support for artists and project-based work. In the active programs list, the organization backs everything from general operating support in Marion County to art in public spaces, festival activation, and visual-arts exhibitions, showing a broad but locally anchored arts mission.

    What Arts Council of Indianapolis Funds

    In arts programming, Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc. backs major presenting organizations and museums as well as smaller arts groups. The recent grants list includes $75,000 to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for arts programming and $52,000 to Harrison Center for the Arts for the same purpose. For community arts and education, it gave $59,411 to Arts for Learning for arts programming and COVID relief, and $52,911 to Arts for Lawrence for the same category. The foundation also supports visual art and exhibition-based work through active programs such as Manifest - OUCH!: A Call for Art About Pain and SUBTRACTIVITY: Call for Works Made About or Through Subtractive Processes. Artist development is another clear thread, with the DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award and the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Program offering structured support for contemporary visual artists and arts administrators.

    How Arts Council of Indianapolis Gives

    The typical grant profile is moderate in size, with a p25 of $9,500, a median of $17,066, and a p75 of $30,000. The recent record also includes larger awards above that band, especially for arts programming and relief support. Giving is highly local and recurring: the same Indianapolis institutions appear across multiple years, including Indiana Repertory Theatre, Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, and Artmix. The funder is a regular funder, not a DAF or PRI vehicle, and it accepts unsolicited proposals in several active programs. Its active portfolio includes operating support, project grants, fellowships, awards, and call-for-entry formats.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $1.8M

    Total Assets

    $8.9M

    Total Revenue

    $4.9M

    Total Expenses

    $6.3M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $17K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $17K

    75th Percentile

    $30K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    JUDITH B THOMAS

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 31-1225893Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $8.9M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    operating support
    capacity building

    Topics

    arts programmingarts sector recovery / cultural sector stabilizationsupport for performing and presenting organizationsdigital/virtual arts programming and audience engagementarts education and community arts programming

    Where Arts Council of Indianapolis Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is concentrated in Indianapolis and nearby Central Indiana. The recent grants list shows repeated funding to Indianapolis recipients, with one grant also going to Lawrence, Indiana. Active programs extend the reach to Marion County, Hamilton County, and Central Indiana more broadly, while several project and exhibition programs are open in format but still tied to Indiana-based work. The recipient distribution is entirely US-based, with 253 grants in the United States and 100% of grants going to recipients in Indiana.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Arts Council of Indianapolis

    What kinds of arts work does Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc. fund?

    Its stated focus areas include arts & culture, public art, artist grants and fellowships, exhibitions and performance spaces, arts advocacy, and professional development for artists. The active program list adds arts education and community arts programming, festival activation, and art in public spaces.

    How large are its typical grants?

    The typical grant range is centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $9,500, the median is $17,066, and p75 is $30,000. Some recent awards are much larger, especially for arts programming and COVID relief.

    Does it fund outside Indianapolis?

    Its giving is local, and 100% of grants in the recipient-state distribution went to Indiana. The recent record shows recipients in Indianapolis and Lawrence, while active programs also reference Marion County, Hamilton County, and Central Indiana.

    Can artists apply directly?

    Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award, the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Program, Project Grants, and the LIFT film grants. The listings also note honoraria or awards for selected artists in some call-for-entry programs.

    What are some of its active grant programs?

    Active programs include Annual Grants Program for Marion County nonprofit arts and culture organizations, Art & Soul Activation Grants for compensating featured artists, Project Grants for art in public spaces, LIFT - $5,000 Grants for Filmmakers, and the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Program.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Arts Council of Indianapolis that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses in 7 days (Sep 3, 2026)Award: Up to $4K

    Indiana Arts Commission Arts Project Support Grant

    Arts activitiesArts eventsProductions+3 more

    Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and public entities may apply for support of a specific arts activity. Organizations are eligible for one grant award per fiscal year. Projects must occur during the applicable grant period.

    Deadline: Spring cycle: March 5, 2026, for projects from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Fall cycle: September 3, 2026, for projects from January 1 through December 31, 2027.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    SUMMIT PERFORMANCE INDIANAPOLIS INCINDIANPOLIS, IN$76,4002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLISINDIANPOLIS, IN$72,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANA REPERTORY THEATREINDIANPOLIS, IN$60,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    AMERICAN LIVES THEATREINDIANAPOLIS, IN$54,4002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTSINDIANPOLIS, IN$52,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAINDIANPOLIS, IN$45,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANA STATE MUSEUMINDIANPOLIS, IN$45,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    BIG CAR MEDIA INCINDIANPOLIS, IN$44,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    EITELJORG MUSEUMINDIANPOLIS, IN$37,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    IIBADA DANCEINDIANPOLIS, IN$37,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    KHEPRW INSTITUTEINDIANPOLIS, IN$36,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    MADAM WALKER LEGACY CENTERINDIANPOLIS, IN$36,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    FONSECA THEATRE COMPANYINDIANPOLIS, IN$34,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    CITY OF FRANKLINFRANKLIN, IN$30,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    CITY OF GREENCASTLEGREENCASTLE, IN$30,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    URBAN MUSICAL THEATREINDIANAPOLIS, IN$30,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    BOONE COUNTY GOVERNMENTLEBANON, IN$30,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    HENDRICKS COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSIONDANVILLE, IN$30,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDATIONSINDIANAPOLIS, IN$28,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    ARTS FOR LEARNINGINDIANPOLIS, IN$28,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    SAPPHIRE THEATERINDIANPOLIS, IN$26,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    THE CABARETINDIANPOLIS, IN$25,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    ARTMIXINDIANPOLIS, IN$25,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    NAPTOWN AFRICAN AMERICAN THEATRE COLLECTIVEINDIANPOLIS, IN$24,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    91 PLACE INCINDIANAPOLIS, IN$23,5232025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    SUMMER STOCK STAGEINDIANPOLIS, IN$22,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTERINDIANPOLIS, IN$22,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    PHOENIX THEATREINDIANPOLIS, IN$22,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRAINDIANPOLIS, IN$22,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ FOUNDATIONINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETYINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    THE PERFORMING ARTS CONSERVATORYINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    MUSIC FOR ALLINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS SHAKESPEARE COMPANYINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    LAFAYETTE SQUARE AREA COALITIONINDIANAPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    DANCE KALEIDOSCOPEINDIANPOLIS, IN$20,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAILINDIANPOLIS, IN$18,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    KIDS DANCE OUTREACHINDIANPOLIS, IN$17,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    EL SISTEMA INDIANAPOLISINDIANAPOLIS, IN$17,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    ARTS FOR LAWRENCELAWRENCE, IN$17,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    INDIANAPOLIS OPERAINDIANPOLIS, IN$16,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETYINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    ARTE MEXICANO EN INDIANA INCINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONALINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLIES INCINDIANAPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    YOUNG ACTORS THEATREINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    FREETOWN VILLAGEINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF INDIANAPOLISINDIANPOLIS, IN$15,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    AMERICAN PIANISTS ASSOCIATIONINDIANPOLIS, IN$14,5002025ARTS PROGRAMMING
    CLASSICAL MUSIC INDYINDIANPOLIS, IN$14,0002025ARTS PROGRAMMING

    SUMMIT PERFORMANCE INDIANAPOLIS INC

    $76,400
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS

    $72,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE

    $60,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    AMERICAN LIVES THEATRE

    $54,400
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

    $52,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

    $45,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANA STATE MUSEUM

    $45,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    BIG CAR MEDIA INC

    $44,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    EITELJORG MUSEUM

    $37,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    IIBADA DANCE

    $37,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    KHEPRW INSTITUTE

    $36,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    MADAM WALKER LEGACY CENTER

    $36,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    FONSECA THEATRE COMPANY

    $34,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    CITY OF FRANKLIN

    $30,000
    FRANKLIN, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    CITY OF GREENCASTLE

    $30,000
    GREENCASTLE, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    URBAN MUSICAL THEATRE

    $30,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    BOONE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

    $30,000
    LEBANON, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    HENDRICKS COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION

    $30,000
    DANVILLE, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDATIONS

    $28,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    ARTS FOR LEARNING

    $28,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    SAPPHIRE THEATER

    $26,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    THE CABARET

    $25,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    ARTMIX

    $25,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    NAPTOWN AFRICAN AMERICAN THEATRE COLLECTIVE

    $24,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    91 PLACE INC

    $23,523
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    SUMMER STOCK STAGE

    $22,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTER

    $22,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    PHOENIX THEATRE

    $22,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

    $22,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ FOUNDATION

    $20,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

    $20,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    THE PERFORMING ARTS CONSERVATORY

    $20,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    MUSIC FOR ALL

    $20,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

    $20,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    LAFAYETTE SQUARE AREA COALITION

    $20,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    DANCE KALEIDOSCOPE

    $20,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL

    $18,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    KIDS DANCE OUTREACH

    $17,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    EL SISTEMA INDIANAPOLIS

    $17,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    ARTS FOR LAWRENCE

    $17,000
    LAWRENCE, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    INDIANAPOLIS OPERA

    $16,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY

    $15,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    ARTE MEXICANO EN INDIANA INC

    $15,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL

    $15,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLIES INC

    $15,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    YOUNG ACTORS THEATRE

    $15,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    FREETOWN VILLAGE

    $15,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF INDIANAPOLIS

    $15,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    AMERICAN PIANISTS ASSOCIATION

    $14,500
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING

    CLASSICAL MUSIC INDY

    $14,000
    INDIANPOLIS, IN2025

    ARTS PROGRAMMING