Tipton awarded Indiana Arts Commission Workshop Grant

Submitted by City of Tipton

The City of Tipton has been selected as a recipient of a workshop and grant opportunity through the Indiana Arts Commission’s 2024 Creative Convergence program. This award supports Tipton’s commitment to enriching its cultural landscape through artistic innovation, collaboration, and community-driven creativity.

The Creative Convergence workshop program, which is a partnership between the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University’s Miller College of Business, provides communities with resources to elevate local art initiatives, foster creative partnerships, and make the arts more accessible to everyone.

Representatives from the newly formed Tipton Public Arts Commission will attend the workshop on Nov. 21 and 22 in Fishers that brings together artists, arts organizations, and residents from across the state, and encourages dialogue and new ideas that highlight the attendees’ unique culture and values.

The workshop will offer sessions tailored to local needs, covering topics such as project planning, arts funding and public engagement strategies. The city to collaborate with the Tipton Public Arts Commission, local artists, educators and civic leaders to maximize the grant’s impact and strengthen the arts as a vital part of community identity and economic development.

“We’re excited to learn more about how our friends’ and neighbors’ creativity can make our community stronger,” said Anna Tragesser, a member of the Tipton Public Arts Commission. “How might arts activities bring more businesses and customers to downtown Tipton? What if cultural experiences deepened a sense of belonging and connection to our town? This is going to be a fascinating experiment.”

In addition to the November conference, recipients of the Creative Convergence grant receive:

• A $1,000 stipend per organization to help cover travel to the workshop and accommodations
• A post-workshop project grant of up to $10,000 for an eligible arts and community project
• Ongoing coaching from Indiana Arts Commission/Indiana Communities Institute

The Tipton Public Arts Commission was established on Aug. 12 under ordinance 2024-06. The commission’s mission is to enhance the environment of the city, attract new business and residents, encourage the community’s artists and residents to engage in creative activities and artistic development, and develop and implement a unified public art strategy for the community.

“Establishing the Tipton Public Arts Commission marks a significant milestone in our community’s commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression,” Mayor Kegan Schmicker said. “This initiative will not only celebrate the diverse talents within our city and county but also enhance the vibrancy of our downtown area and create new opportunities for residents and visitors alike. We look forward to seeing the incredible impact that this commission will have on Tipton’s cultural landscape.”