The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is now accepting applications for Creative Convergence. Creative Convergence is a team-based workshop and funding opportunity aimed at creative community development. The program is held in partnership with the Indiana Communities Institute (ICI) at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business.
The Creative Convergence program consists of a two-day, in-person training and the opportunity to apply for a Creative Convergence Early Action grant. The in-person workshop will take place Nov. 21 and 22 in Fishers. The training focuses on how to embed arts and creativity in community and economic planning and solutions, how to work collaboratively across sectors, and how to effectively engage with community. The grant program is designed to allow communities to apply the learnings from the workshop to a project that benefits creatives and the community and offers awards of up to $10,000.
Piloted in 2023 and launched in 2024, Creative Convergence is an outgrowth of a research study released by ICI in 2022. “Planning with Arts & Culture” examined how Indiana municipalities were utilizing local arts and culture in their community and economic strategies. Key amongst the findings was the expressed need for support in identifying and leveraging the creative sector to improve quality of life for all.
Community based-teams that participate will learn how to work together to advance arts and creativity in their community through training and a funded project. As a result of the Creative Convergence program, community leaders, organizational representatives, and artists/creatives will better understand how to embed arts and creativity in community, economic planning and solutions, how to work collaboratively across sectors, and how to effectively engage their community in the process.
Applications are open now and will close at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Questions can be directed to IAC Communities Services Manager Lydia Campbell-Maher at lcampbellmaher@iac.in.gov.
Click here to learn more about the program, who is eligible, and how to apply.