Tipton receives $10K Teaching Artist Residency grant

Submitted by City of Tipton

The City of Tipton has been awarded a $10,000 Creative Convergence Action Grant from the Indiana Arts Commission to support its Teaching Artist in Residence program.

The initiative, organized by the recently established Tipton Public Arts Commission (TPAC), will bring a professional artist to engage with the community through workshops, presentations and creative activities.

Schmicker

“This grant provides a tremendous opportunity to enhance our community through the arts,” Mayor Kegan Schmicker said. “The Teaching Artist in Residence program aligns perfectly with our goals of bringing people together across generations while fostering creative expression in Tipton.”

The Creative Convergence Action Grant program, developed in partnership with the Indiana Communities Institute of Ball State University, supports projects that embed arts and creativity in community and economic planning. Launched in 2024, the program emerged from research showing Indiana municipalities needed support in leveraging the creative sector to improve quality of life. The program includes comprehensive training on collaborative cross-sector work and effective community engagement through the arts.

TPAC is currently seeking qualified teaching artists or artist teams of any creative discipline to lead the residency, which will take place over approximately 60 days during spring and summer 2025. The selected artist will receive $8,000 to conduct multiple community engagement activities, including:

• Eight to 10 visits with local youth and senior adults
• Eight to 10 workshops or events at the Tipton County Public Library
• Participation in two to four local gatherings
• A culminating celebration event featuring community-created works

“We’re looking for artists who can provide energetic and memorable arts experiences while connecting with people of all ages in our community,” TPAC Representative Anna Tragesser said. “This residency represents an important step in our mission to develop Tipton’s public art collection and support local creative energy.”

Established in 2024, TPAC aims to facilitate intergenerational activities and generate local economic impact through the arts. The Teaching Artist in Residence program reflects these goals by bringing professional arts education directly to Tipton residents.

Artists interested in applying for the residency position should submit materials by Friday, April 18. Applicants must submit an artistic resume highlighting relevant work and experiences, a portfolio with five to 10 artistic work samples, and documentation of past art workshops or community activities they have led. Strong candidates will demonstrate exceptional artistic quality, competence in teaching diverse age groups, and a collaborative approach to community engagement.

Finalist candidates will participate in a Zoom interview and provide a reference from a past workshop partner or community project collaborator. Selected artists must pass a background check and provide proof of general liability insurance. Complete details and application requirements are available on the city’s website or by contacting communications@tipton.in.gov.