Indianapolis announces one-time cultural districts fund

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis officials recently announced a fund that is aimed at celebrating community culture and heritage through projects like public art installations, community events and public space enhancements.

According to a news release, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, the City-County Council, as well as the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD), launched the Indianapolis Cultural Districts Fund, a one-time $500,000 fund.

The application for funding opened on Friday and will stay open through Aug. 31 and will allow neighborhood organizations the chance to apply for one-time funding to bring a project to their community.

“The Cultural Districts Fund represents our commitment to public art, community celebration and vibrant public spaces,” Hogsett said in the release. “This investment will provide communities that have long contributed to our city’s culture with the opportunity to showcase neighborhood stories, activate public spaces and strengthen connections.” 

The release said that the fund was included in the 2025 spring fiscal ordinance that was adopted in June. The DMD is responsible for deploying the funding, with officials stating that the one-time investment can “unlock meaningful opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs and residents.”

Cultural projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Public art installations
• Community events
• Beautification and maintenance projects
• Public space enhancements
• Operating expenses that are directly tied to increased impact.

“Our Cultural Districts are living expressions of our city’s identity,” Carmen Lethig, the deputy director of planning and preservation for DMD, said in the release. “This funding opportunity will help strengthen our communities by investing in cultural infrastructure that builds resilience, honors local heritage, and sparks inclusive growth. It’s one more step toward building a more connected and creative Indianapolis.” 

Officials said that there are two eligibility tiers for entities interested in the grant:

• Tier 1 – Existing districts
• Tier 2 – Emerging districts – communities will have to define why they believe they are a cultural district.

The applications will be evaluated on the project’s:

• Cultural impact
• Economic impact
• Community engagement
• Feasibility and budget

Ultimately, city officials said they anticipate receiving applications for projects ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The release said there is no limit on the amount that can be requested, and no matching funds are required.

The release said applications will be scored by the evaluation committee in September and awardees will be notified in mid- to late-September. A public meeting announcing the recipients is expected to be hosted by the Metropolitan Development Commission in October.

Officials said that this is a competitive grant, and no funding is guaranteed. For more information and to apply, click here.