Win prizes while traversing the 12 art districts across Indiana with the Hoosier State’s Arts & Culture Passport, which encompasses over 200 locations
Explore Indiana’s rich history and buzzing arts districts with the Arts & Culture Passport. Dive into a variety of venues, including galleries, music festivals, theaters and museums. The passport is completely mobile, allowing you to check in at every location and earn prizes along the way. Whether it’s a night out for live music at the Bluebird in B-Town or perusing the streets during a Carmel Porchfest event, you are bound to enjoy Indiana’s colorful culture.
Bloomington offers a multitude of events year-round, from art gallery shows to international cuisine celebrations.
Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District
From morning to night, Bloomington offers a multitude of events year-round, from art gallery shows to international cuisine celebrations. Explore the diversity of Bloomington by starting out at Food Truck Friday in Switchyard Park and walk through the community garden. Head out for live music at Bluebird or experience fall’s Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, a multicultural celebration of music and arts featuring food, dance and music. Hit up the Comedy Attic for a late-night show and grab dinner from over 90 downtown dining options. The Bloomington Creative Glass Center is a fabulous place to learn how to blow glass and have fun doing it. It is committed to bringing high-quality education about glass to any and all who have interest in the craft of glassblowing.
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel’s Art and Design District, located in the heart of Old Town Carmel, is home to interior designers, art galleries and studios, plus specialty shops and restaurants. The galleries around Carmel make it known as the “City of the Arts.” See the studios of glass artists featured on the Indiana Glass Trail and admire their hand-blown designs. Traverse the streets of Midtown during Carmel Porchfest, a series of events that showcase bands at different times of the year. While in Midtown, catch J. Seward Johnson Jr.’s “The-Man-on-the-Street” sculpture series that began in the 1980s. Often called the Norman Rockwell of American sculpture, the late artist Johnson captured everyday American life through life-sized pieces scattered throughout the city.
The Bloomington Creative Glass Center is a fabulous place to learn how to blow glass and have fun doing it.
Lafayette Tippecanoe Arts and Cultural District
Based in Lafayette, the Tippecanoe Arts Federation partners with the Indiana Arts Commission. The district focuses on promoting access to literary, visual and performing arts and building experiences that fuel creativity. A great place to soak in some culture, it offers an abundance of options at both traditional and non-traditional performance spaces and art galleries. Casual and fine dining restaurants in the district showcase the ethnic diversity of greater Lafayette.
Brown County Arts Scene
The arts scene in Nashville and environs flourishes with the visual and performing arts. Catch a show at the historic Brown County Playhouse or visit one of the dozens of Arts Village galleries and studios specializing in pottery, weaving, pastel and oil painting, and wood carving. Stop by the County Heritage Winery tasting room for live music every Friday and Saturday.
Columbus Arts and Entertainment District
Murals are a major piece of Columbus’ culture and focus on celebrating the diversity of the community. Visit the colorfully electric asphalt art initiative that is a ground plane mural installed along 16th street between intersections of Home Avenue and Union Street. Studio 207 is an open space that functions as a collaborative workspace hosting artist residencies, pop-up exhibitions and public art projects.
Nickel Plate District
Fishers, Indiana’s Nickel Plate District boasts art galleries, an award-winning performing arts venue, vivid public artworks, live music and community festivals. Visit the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, one of Midwest’s grandest outdoor music and event venues. Performances range from intimate acoustic shows to 6,000-person events, with acts from local to global. Watch the sun set behind the glowing stage after a day at the Fishers Farmer’s Market, which offers live entertainment, kids’ activities and art markets along with produce, fresh baked goods and other local treats from more than 50 vendors. The annual Spark!Fishers Festival, held at the end of June in the Nickel Plate District, celebrates Independence Day with a 5K walk/run, parade, evening concerts, street fairs and fireworks.
By Emma O’Shea
