Great Indy Neighborhoods: Publications


Neighborhood Resource Guide	< Back to Table of Contents

6: Culture
Healthy communities offer a wide and varied array of artistic, cultural, recreational, and spiritual programs and venues to enrich the quality of life, nurture local talent and foster creativity.

QUESTION - Who can help improve cultural opportunities in our neighborhood?
ANSWER - Arts Council of Indianapolis In 2001, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, in partnership with the Indianapolis Convention & Visitor’s Association, Indianapolis Downtown Inc., and the Mayor’s Office, announced a five-year, $10 million Cultural Development Initiative. Public Art Indianapolis, one of the Initiative’s programs, provides information and resources regarding best practices in selecting and commissioning artists as well as guidance in the development, fabrication, and installation of public art projects. Contact 631-3301 or www.indyarts.org.
ANSWER - Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission Cultural Districts Program The Commission strengthens Indianapolis as a cultural destination and improves the quality of life for residents. Its Cultural Districts Program facilitates the cultural development of six distinct neighborhoods or districts that have a unique mix of arts, cultural and hospitality activities: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue and the Wholesale District. Visit http://www.bsu.edu/capic/culturalindy/districts.html.
QUESTION - How can we make better use of our neighborhood parks and open spaces?
ANSWER - Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI) CILTI protects natural spaces in the face of increasing urban sprawl. Recognizing that a strong economy and continued high quality of life are dependent on the state of the environment, CILTI maintains that development must be balanced with adequate greenspace. CILTI protects land with natural significance and land under development pressure. Visit http://www.cilti.org/.
ANSWER - City of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation The Department is a nationally accredited park system serving the recreational and leisure needs of Indianapolis. It enforces city ordinances and state laws pertaining to parks and recreational facilities and manages public greenways. It has the power to levy general property taxes to acquire, operate and maintain park and recreation facilities, and to issue general obligation bonds. Contact 327-PARK or http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPR/home.htm.
ANSWER - Indianapolis Parks Foundation The Foundation is a nonprofit, privately-funded organization that encourages and solicits support for parks and greenspace. Visit http://www.indyparksfoundation.org.
ANSWER - Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) KIBI provides financial resources, manpower through volunteer recruitment, and expertise in planning and executing beautification and neighborhood improvement projects. KIBI partners with neighborhoods, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and the City. Private contributions enable KIBI to get discounted supplies like tools, equipment, paint, trash bags, trees, flowers, etc. Visit http://www.kibi.org/.
ANSWER – Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District The District provides technical, financial, and educational services to help land users conserve soil, water, and related natural resources. The District provides free conservation technical assistance on: conservation planning, erosion & sediment control, drainage & water management, streamside stabilization, streamside buffers, pond management, wetland development, tree & shrub planting, backyard conservation, wildlife habitat, conservation education, and site development advice. Visit http://www.marionswcd.org/.
ANSWER – Purdue Cooperative Extension Service – Capital City Garden Project The Capital City Garden Project is a community-based educational program in Marion County promoting healthy people and greener neighborhoods through gardening. The program assists schools, community centers, neighborhood groups and individuals. Contact 275-9305 or http://www.ces.purdue.edu/marion/.
QUESTION - Some neighborhoods have great traditions and events that help unify the community and make it a fun place to live. How can our neighborhood establish its own unique events and traditions?
ANSWER Indianapolis Cultural Tourism Initiative Funding Program The Collaborative Marketing Fast Track funding is intended to support joint marketing and communication projects that bolster the goals of the Cultural Development Commission. They promote and highlight arts and cultural activities and showcase Indianapolis as a cultural destination. Applicant must provide tracking, statistical, and audience information upon completion of the project, and share results of the funded project with the Office of Cultural Tourism. In addition, Fast Track funds are designed to: Encourage and develop imaginative collaborations and productive partnerships between arts, cultural, heritage, and tourism organizations. Attract and retain arts and cultural visitors to build Indianapolis as a cultural destination. Build local participation in arts, cultural, and heritage tourism products. Visit http://www.indyarts.org/.
ANSWER - Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) INRC provides information and support to residents and neighborhood-based organizations. It works directly with Marion County neighborhood-based organizations, including neighborhood and homeowners’ associations, community development corporations, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofit groups. INRC offers technical assistance and various training opportunities to help grassroots neighborhood organizations address issues that impact the quality of life in their neighborhoods. It may also present on-site workshops in neighborhoods on subjects such as Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), Building Strong Networks & Collaborations, Marketing Your Neighborhood, Direct Advocacy and Facilitation and Planning for Action and Results. Contact 920-0330 or http://www.inrc.org.