Indiana Destination Development Corporation launches public art & placemaking activation grants

Visit Indiana seeks applicants to help create ‘IN Indiana’ public artwork & signage throughout state

The Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) has launched two new grants – the IN Indiana Public Art Activation Grant and IN Indiana Placemaking Activation Grant – that will give local artists and communities the unique opportunity to create IN Indiana artwork and signage in highly-visible locations throughout the state.

The IN Indiana Placemaking Activation Grant is a matching grant of up to $25,000 to fund signage and placemaking efforts. The IN Indiana Public Art Activation Grant is a non-matching grant of up to $10,000 to fund public art projects. The IDDC plans to allocate up to $500,000 total between both grants based on the quality of applications received.

Grantees will receive 75 percent of funding upon award and 25 percent upon project completion. These programs follow the success of the initial round of the Public Art Activation Grant program in 2022, which saw IDDC fund over 40 murals and sculptures across the state. You can see those projects at VisitIndiana.com/Murals.

“Indiana is a diverse state that’s full of character, and we plan to showcase that through these works of art,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said. “Through the public artwork, we will have the opportunity to work together with our local communities to show in our state. From the smallest towns to the largest cities, there is something for everyone IN Indiana.”

The IDDC is now accepting applications and the deadline to submit is 4 p.m. Eastern time on March 17. All applicants will be considered, including but not limited to communities, destination marketing organizations, chambers of commerce and private businesses. Potential public art locations can include anything from exterior walls and alleyways to bridges, barns and more.

“This activation aligns perfectly with the IDDC’s new IN Indiana campaign, which is all about giving tools and a voice to everyone,” IDDC Secretary and CEO Elaine Bedel said. “This not only enables us to highlight local artists and organizations, but also use the IN Indiana campaign to tie Indiana communities together in a way that adds to the beauty of Indiana’s rural, urban and suburban landscapes.”

Projects will be selected based on the quality of the submitted design, with preference given to locations in high-view areas that create potential for photo opportunities. IDDC intends to include a diverse group of locations and projects, including urban, suburban, and rural settings, large and small communities, and locations in different regions of the state.

Click here for more information on guidelines and timelines.

Follow Visit Indiana on social media at @VisitIndiana on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.