An Arts & Recreational Trail connecting the Indianapolis Museum of Art to the Indianapolis Art Center

utilizing the Central Canal Towpath and the Monon Trail.

Long-standing community aspirations for a recreational trail along the former Monon Railroad right-of-way and the Central Canal in the heart of Indianapolis were partially realized with the establishment of the Indy Parks Greenways trail system in the early1990’s and the adoption of the Indianapolis Greenways Plan in 1994. The concept of formalizing the connection between the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Indianapolis Art Center emerged during the 2009 MIDTOWN Master Plan process and was successfully tested in May of 2009 during a family-friendly bike ride dubbed the Neighborhood Exploration Tour (NExT).

 

When the sale of the City’s water assets to Citizens Energy Group was undertaken in 2010, it became clear that this new stakeholder would need to be engaged in discussions regarding the future recreational uses of the Central Canal Towpath and the potential for a unique public arts experience. Documentation would be needed to convey the scope of this idea to the new owner, as well as other potential stakeholder and constituent groups. With enthusiastic endorsements from the Office of Mayor Greg Ballard and various neighborhood groups, the Central Indiana Community Foundation agreed to provide funding for a study to;

  • Examine opportunities for an expanded Arts and Education Program in Midtown
  • Identify user groups and potential local and regional partners
  • Articulate the benefits of a Midtown quality of life and a sense of place
  • Explore ways to improve local neighborhood and regional connectivity
  • Analyze economic and cultural factors
  • Highlight unique potentials for the incorporation of public art and design
  • Generate support for future community outreach effort

Special Thanks to the Art2Art Working Group

ALPHONS VAN ADRICHEM, Community Director, Central Indiana Community Foundation

THOMAS HEALY, Broad Ripple Village Association & Broad Ripple Alliance for Progress

KATIE ZARICH, J.D., Deputy Director for Public Affairs, Indianapolis Museum of Art

CARTER WOLF, President & CEO, Indianapolis Art Center

PATRICK FLAHERTY, Director of Exhibitions & Artist Services, Indianapolis Art Center

AL ENSLEY, Greenways Manager, Indy Parks and Recreation

KATHY SHORTER, President, Midtown Inc.

DEBORAH GITT STOLL, Deputy Director, Midtown Inc.

TIM CARTER, Director, Butler University Center for Urban Ecology

MARK KESLING, da VINCI Pursuit

Art2Art Concept