INDIANAPOLIS — Creativity in all its shapes, sounds, and forms will reign supreme on Saturday, June 27th when Arts for Learning Indiana celebrates 65 years of providing youth arts education throughout the state with a community open house at its brand-new home, 3328 East 10th Street, along the newly designated East 10th Street Emerging Arts District corridor.
This free, family-friendly event, presented by Glick Philanthropies, will be held from 11 am to 3 pm. To better facilitate the festival atmosphere, East 10th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic in front of Arts for Learning Indiana headquarters during the open house, enabling activities to expand to both the north and south sides of 10th Street.
“As we open the doors to our new home, we’re also opening doors of opportunity for thousands of young people across Indiana,” said Arts for Learning Indiana president & CEO Anya Aslanova. “Our open house is a glimpse into a future where every student has access to creative, engaging learning experiences that help them thrive in school and in life.”
Open house guests will enjoy musical performances, hands-on art-making stations, exhibitions of artwork by current students, alumni, and Arts for Learning Indiana’s stable of Teaching Artists, public mural creation, sidewalk art, and more. Among Teaching Artists scheduled to participate are Cathy Morris, Village of Stories, Squirrel Butter, Beatriz Vasquez, Jingo de la Rosa, Theon Lee, Matt Deloughery, and Omar Rashan. Emcee for the Garden Performance Area is Arts For Learning Indiana board member Leonard Patterson, founder & frontman of the popular Indy band Living Proof.
Among additional activities planned are:
- Hands-on creative endeavors for all ages, including making your own notebook covers and shadow puppets, contribute your artistic flair to sidewalk chalk art, or help create a permanent public mural on the building.
- Photo booth selfie zone.
- Installation of the inaugural Arts for Learning Indiana Art Supplies Box. Patterned after the familiar Little Free Libraries, the Arts For Learning Indiana creation will be filled with a wide and ever-changing variety of art supplies, free and available for the taking. The organization plans to build and install art supply boxes at locations throughout Central Indiana.
- Register to win the Kate Appel Celebration Prize. Named in honor of the visionary Arts for Learning Indiana board member, guests will be invited to sign up for the chance to win a creative gift of art activities and supplies to spark imagination at home, and to nominate a school to receive a voucher for a free Arts for Learning Indiana performance.
“Kate is a leader whose generosity has always been rooted in action and community,” noted Anya Aslanova, “and we’re carrying her spirit forward as she retires from our board by sharing the gift of the arts with the community at our open house.”
Several performances will be hosted during the celebration at Holy Ground Productions, across 10th Street from the Arts for Learning Indiana building, and three food trucks will be on-site serving a variety of food and beverage for purchase: Allen’s Extreme Hot Dogs & Nachos, The Grub House, and Shaved Ice Unlimited.
The open house will be held rain or shine. Free parking will be available at IPS’ Brookside School, 3150 East 10th Street, or curbside throughout the area. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating comfort during outdoor performances.
Event sponsors include Glick Philanthropies, the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Audrey’s Place Furniture, and 1000 Words Gallery.
Founded in 1961, Arts for Learning Indiana – originally known as Young Audiences – is the premier provider of arts education programs for youth throughout the state. Arts For Learning Indiana partners with schools, libraries, parks, and other community organizations to deliver an estimated 40,000 hours of high-quality arts education experiences annually. Its 70-plus professional Teaching Artists present vibrant performances, hands-on workshops, and in-depth residencies throughout Indiana. Arts For Learning Indiana also supports educators through professional development that helps integrate the arts into diverse learning environments in powerful and practical ways.
“As we mark 65 years of transforming lives through the arts, our open house celebrates both our history and the bright future we’re building for students across Indiana,” Aslanova said. “This event brings our mission to life, showcasing how access to the arts ignites learning, builds confidence, and truly changes lives.”
For more information about Arts for Learning Indiana and the June 27th, 65th Anniversary Celebration & Open House, visit www.artsforlearningindiana.org.
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Media Contact:
Sally Bonneau, 317.965.5566, [email protected]
