Who we are: The Art Center was founded in 1934 as a Works Project Administration program during the Great Depression to serve artists. Today, the Art Center inhabits one Indianapolis’ only Michael Graves-designed building which sits on a 10 acre stretch along the banks of the White River in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis. Each year, the Art Center offers hundreds of art classes, over 50 art exhibitions in six art galleries, an Outreach program that takes art to underserved communities, and the Broad Ripple Art Fair. What we do: The mission of the Indianapolis Art Center is to engage, enlighten, and inspire our community by providing interactive art education, outreach to underserved audiences, support of artists and exposure to the visual arts. Why we’re important: In its most meaningful moments, art transforms all of us. For adults, hands-on creative learning provides the opportunity to express emotions, build connections to others and hone new creative skills. For kids, arts education creates pathways to academic achievement, career goals and civic engagement. And it’s fun and rewarding. How we affect the community: The Indianapolis Art Center impacts the community by providing access to art education, exposure to living artists and hosting meaningful events that connect the community to creativity and art-making. Our over 500 art classes each year offer anyone with a desire to connect with their artistic side in a creative and social community to thrive. Our nationally-recognized exhibitions connect the community with the artwork of local, regional and national artists. Our Outreach programs take art outside of our building to provide high-quality art education to underserved youth. The Art Center’s campus includes: The Marilyn K. Glick School of Art, with 11 state-of-the-art studios, three public art galleries, a 224-seat auditorium, a gallery shop, and a library; ArtsPark, a nine-acre outdoor creativity and sculpture garden.