We all know there is a thriving arts and entertainment scene throughout Hamilton County. What you may not realize is how much public art is really out there. Hamilton County Tourism is giving you not only an opportunity to explore local art, but also an incentive.
Hamilton County’s new Doable and Viewable Art Pass is available now, encouraging community members and visitors to engage with local art.
The digital passport, created by Hamilton County Tourism, features more than 100 murals, sculptures, galleries and art studios located throughout the county. After seven mobile check-ins at participating locations, participants will earn a print created by local artist Gabriel Lehman.
“Our county continues to grow and evolve as a vibrant art destination,” Nickel Plate Arts Executive Director Aili McGill said. “As Executive Director of Nickel Plate Arts and Manager of Noblesville’s Cultural Arts District, I’m excited for the launch of this new art pass and the opportunity to expose more people to art in a fun, low-barrier way.”
Hamilton County Tourism Assistant Director of Community Engagement Sarah Buckner told The Reporter the art pass is about both raising awareness of local art and giving people a simple, interactive way to engage with more of it.
“The art pass was a team effort with Hamilton County Tourism as well as our three state-designated arts districts,” Buckner said. “We have this amazing art product in the area. We have more than 100 pieces of public art. You can go to so many venues to hear music, to create pottery, to create paintings – there is so much art to do, but not everyone is really aware of it. We came together to create this pass to encourage people to get out into the community to see and experience all that we have.”
Photo provided by Hamilton County Tourism
All the public art in Hamilton County is listed through the art pass. Several businesses, art galleries, studios and live music venues have also chosen to participate.
“If you visit seven of the places listed on the pass, then you will receive a Gabriel Lehman print,” Buckner said.
Hamilton County Tourism is celebrating the launch of the pass with a county-wide scavenger hunt during National Travel and Tourism Week. Prizes will be hidden May 8 to 12 at various pieces of public art featured within the Doable and Viewable Art Pass. Clues for the prize locations can be found on Visit Hamilton County’s Facebook and Instagram stories each day.
“We’ve long had a public art map, which people have loved, but we feel like this is the next step in letting residents and visitors engage,” Buckner. “Now you have a reason to explore and make it a treasure hunt.”
On the art pass app. You can sort for art near your current location.
“Every place I’ve gone for meetings throughout the county, I’ve hit the ‘find art near me’ on that and it amazes me how much art we have in this county,” Buckner said.
To claim the Doable and Viewable Art Pass, users can go to tinyurl.com/HamCoArtPass2023. The passport can be saved to a smartphone home screen or bookmarked in a web browser for easy access.
People are encouraged to take photos while checking in at the various art locations and share them on social media, tagging @VisitHamiltonCo or #VisitHC for the chance to be featured.
For more information, go to VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Art.