READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grants Awarded to 49 Project Statewide

The projects aim to drive economic growth, community development and talent attraction.

Photo provided.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Governor Mike Braun today awarded READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grants to 49 projects across all of Indiana's 15 regions.

These awards are expected to generate $369.6 million in investment in the state’s arts and culture economy, enhancing Indiana’s quality of place while accelerating tourism, talent retention and attraction, and continued economic and job growth. 

Arts and culture initiatives in southeast Indiana include a new Maibaum festival and the development of Maypole Heritage Park in Oldenburg; an open-air pavilion and a companion documentary series highlighting local creative entrepreneurs in Liberty; new investments at the Archaeological Research Institute campus in Lawrenceburg; and the creation of the Dillsboro Studio Residency in Dearborn County to develop local artists and cultivate creative entrepreneurs. 

Oldenburg - Inspired by 50 years of volunteer-driven success at Freudenfest, Oldenburg will create a vibrant new cultural tradition: the Oldenburg Maibaum Celebration, a spring festival honoring the community’s German heritage through music, dance, storytelling and shared artistic expression. The Maibaum Celebration will complement Oldenburg’s heritage, enrich community life and invite visitors to experience Oldenburg’s authenticity in a fresh, joyful and enduring way. The community will also develop Maypole Heritage Park, investing in the creative infrastructure needed to support the Maibaum Celebration as well as year round concerts, performances and arts and culture programming. READI 2.0 Arts & Culture funding will support construction of the Maibaum Performing Arts Pavilion and a new 195-foot, hand-painted mural that will transform the park into a dynamic gathering place for artist, residents and visitors. Together, these enhancements will strengthen Oldenburg’s identity as a place of authentic celebration, expand opportunities for local artists and musicians, and create a welcoming destination for year-round cultural activity.

Dillsboro - The Dillsboro Arts Friendship Gallery will create the Dillsboro Studio Residency, a community artist in residence program for young artists that supports the local creative economy while expanding access to the arts. By adding new artists to the space, Dillsboro Arts will be able to expand hours of operation, add new patron contacts, and increase arts programming for the community. Dillsboro Arts will expand into its second-floor space, completing renovations to provide individual studios for three or more emerging artists to connect and work in a shared environment. These artists will present an exhibition of their work at the completion of the residency and will have opportunities to earn money through teaching or performances. Along the way, with continuing mentorship from established artists, they will develop their studio work, learn curating and gallery operation skills and, most importantly, add new voices and energy to an already strong arts community.

Lawrenceburg - The Archaeological Research Institute (ARI) in Lawrenceburg is transforming its downtown campus into a fully integrated, publicly accessible cultural destination through a three-project initiative – an outdoor Cultural Gardens featuring public art, a large-scale augmented reality mural and 24/7 interpretive installations; an interior facility renovation creating ADA-accessible labs, immersive technology zones and expanded educational capacity; and a comprehensive immersive exhibit design and development program engaging Indiana artists, designers and technology professionals. Together, these investments create a seamless visitor journey rooted in the cultural history of the Ohio River Valley, activating downtown Lawrenceburg, supporting the local creative economy, and establishing ARI as a regional leader in innovative public archaeology and cultural education.

“As a state, we’re powering our communities forward by investing in the vision and strategies of Indiana’s regions,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana’s art and culture sector already contributes $10.1 billion annually to the state’s economy. These investments in our creative assets and workforce will transform Hoosier neighborhoods and communities while boosting tourism and commerce, creating new jobs and career pathways, and fueling Indiana’s economy for years to come.” 

Applications were reviewed by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), along with an international team of industry experts, to identify projects that have the greatest opportunity to positively impact Hoosiers and the region’s economies.  

A full list of selected projects is available here. READI 2.0 Arts & Culture funding will be leveraged to revitalize historic landmarks, pavilions and entertainment venues; bring museum exhibits, galleries and learning spaces to life; create public art, displays and sculptures; and support initiatives focused on building Indiana's creative workforce and economy by investing in artists and entrepreneurs.