INDIANAPOLIS, IN — April 8, 2026 — The Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA), in partnership with the Indy Arts Council, today announced the launch of a year-long community process that will result in a new Public Art Master Plan for Broad Ripple Village. This initiative marks an important step in the neighborhood’s continued evolution as a vibrant cultural district, reflecting ongoing investment in Broad Ripple’s public spaces and creative identity.
As Indianapolis’s first designated Cultural District, Broad Ripple has long been known for its vibrant arts scene — from galleries and murals to music venues, festivals, and creative businesses. The new planning effort will build on that legacy by bringing residents, artists, businesses, and community partners together to help define how public art can continue to shape the neighborhood’s identity and public spaces.
The resulting master plan will guide the development of new public artworks and partnerships over the next three to five years while helping ensure future projects reflect the character, creativity, and aspirations of the Broad Ripple community.
“Public art is powerful. It tells the story of a place and shapes how people experience it,” said Mary Dicken, executive director of the Broad Ripple Village Association. “This process invites the community to help guide that story in Broad Ripple’s next chapter, bringing to life the creativity, character, and energy that continue to define the Village.”
The Indy Arts Council will lead the planning effort, working with the Broad Ripple Village Association and a community task force to gather input through a series of public engagement opportunities throughout 2026. Community participation will include two public meetings this spring, a virtual engagement session, and interactive opportunities at Village events.
The planning process will explore key questions, including:
- What values and themes should guide public art in Broad Ripple
- Where new artworks could be located throughout the district
- How artists should be selected and projects implemented
- How the community can sustain and maintain public art over time
As part of the process, the project team, with support from Penrod Society volunteers, will map and document existing public art throughout the neighborhood. Community members will be invited to share feedback on current artworks and help identify opportunities for future installations. In addition to the volunteer support, The Penrod Society is providing support for the overall planning process.
“Broad Ripple has always been a place where creativity is woven into the fabric of the community, and public art plays a vital role in shaping that experience,” said Judith Thomas, President & CEO at Indy Arts Council. “This planning process is an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the community to imagine what comes next — ensuring future public art reflects the voices, stories, and creative spirit that make the Village such a dynamic cultural destination.”
The final Public Art Master Plan is expected to be completed in late 2026. It will outline recommended sites for new artworks, potential funding strategies, partnership opportunities, and tools to help guide future public art projects.
The planning effort will also lead directly to the commissioning of a new public artwork as the first implementation project emerging from the plan, with installation anticipated in 2027.
For Broad Ripple, the initiative represents both a continuation of its artistic history and an intentional step toward the future, building on Broad Ripple’s identity as one of Indianapolis’s most creative and distinctive neighborhoods. Known for decades as a gathering place for artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs, the Village has long played a leading role in Indianapolis’s cultural life. By inviting the community into the planning process, BRVA hopes to ensure that the next generation of public art continues to reflect the neighborhood’s spirit of creativity, collaboration, and shared civic pride.
Community members will be able to follow the planning process and learn about upcoming engagement opportunities at broadrippleindy.org/artplan.
About Broad Ripple Village Association
The Broad Ripple Village Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant, connected, and thriving Broad Ripple community. Through events, partnerships, beautification initiatives, and advocacy, BRVA works to support residents, businesses, and cultural life in one of Indianapolis’s most distinctive neighborhoods. Learn more at broadrippleindy.org.
About Indy Arts Council
Indy Arts Council is central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy and services agency. Their mission is to champion arts and culture. Indy Arts Council believes every resident should experience arts and culture in a way that nourishes and inspires them. This vision of a creative life for all is central to the work they do to support artists, arts organizations, and the community.
