READI Arts and Culture Plan Kick-Off Meeting
Under the leadership of Gov. Mike Braun and in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) anticipates awarding READI 2.0 Arts and Culture Initiative funding to select projects throughout the state beginning in 2026.
Join this informational webinar to learn about program goals, eligibility, application requirements, and evaluation criteria. Artists, arts and cultural organizations, working creatives, and education, tourism, and philanthropic partners are invited to attend.
Date & Time: Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m.
The webinar will be recorded and posted on indianareadi.com
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ceobarqaQbaTuP1WWyIvgA
Following the webinar, IEDC and IAC will share additional documentation to support the application process.
Indiana Uplands Regional Arts and Culture Plan
In January 2024, the State of Indiana announced a $60 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to the IEDC as part of a statewide effort to accelerate arts and culture planning and investment. Regional arts and culture plans, including the Indiana Uplands plan, will serve as foundational documents guiding the pursuit of these funds.
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) presents the Indiana Uplands Regional Arts and Culture Plan, a shared framework for strengthening creative vitality, cultural identity, and the arts economy across the region’s 11 counties. Rooted in local voices and guided by a regional Steering Committee, the plan reflects input from artists, community leaders, and residents throughout the Indiana Uplands.
The planning process started at ROI’s 2025 Annual Report to the Region, where stakeholders from across the Indiana Uplands participated in an arts and culture asset-mapping exercise facilitated by Public Sphere Project (PSP), a national planning and placemaking consultancy. PSP was hired by ROI to support the development of the plan.
Leaders from the region served on the Arts and Culture Steering Committee, providing guidance and feedback throughout the process. Using an asset-based, community-driven approach, the plan reflects extensive collaboration across the region. More than 140 stakeholders contributed through focus groups, small group and individual interviews, and working sessions, ensuring representation across sectors, communities, and creative disciplines.
This engagement led to the identification of five regional impact areas that represent key strengths and differentiators for the Indiana Uplands:
- Artisan industry
- Music
- Space + place
- Performing arts
- Lifelong learning
The Indiana Uplands Arts and Culture Plan positions arts and culture as key drivers of community well-being, talent attraction, and economic resilience. By building on the region’s creative talent, cultural assets, and welcoming communities, the plan outlines strategies to enhance quality of life, expand creative opportunities, and elevate the Indiana Uplands as a vibrant place to live, work, and create.