Central Indiana arts community comes together to kick off fall arts season
Indianapolis (September 15, 2026) — The Indy Arts Council’s annual Start with Art celebration raised a record $330,000 this year, exceeding the organization’s fundraising goal and bringing together hundreds of arts, business, civic, and community leaders to celebrate Indianapolis’ creative sector. The event also launched the fall arts season, shining a spotlight on the artists, organizations and community partnerships that make arts and culture an essential part of life in central Indiana.
Held August 20 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom and presented by Schahet Hotels, Start with Art raised critical support for the Indy Arts Council’s work to champion arts and culture. The total includes $15,000 unlocked through a matching grant challenge from the Efroymson Family Fund.
“Start with Art is a reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together around the belief that the arts belong to everyone,” said Judith B. Thomas, President & CEO at the Indy Arts Council. “This record-setting support allows us to continue investing in artists, connecting people with creative experiences, and building a city where a creative life truly is possible for all.”
The 2026 celebration featured an evening of performances, interactive experiences, and recognition of leaders across our region’s arts and culture community, including six ARTI Award winners.
Event highlights:
- $330K raised to support Indy arts and culture
- $15K Efroymson Family Fund matching grant challenge unlocked
- 700+ arts, business, and community leaders in attendance
- 58 sponsors and table hosts
- 8 performances and activations that featured over 20 local artists
- 6 ARTI award winners honored
The annual ARTI Awards at Start with Art
The ARTI Awards honor people and organizations who are advancing equity and innovation in central Indiana arts and culture. The awards were presented at Start with Art by Indy Arts Council with generous support from the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF).
The 2026 ARTI Award features the song “Beautiful Souls” by Indianapolis-based jazz artist Brandon Meeks. He is recognized as a key figure in the city’s jazz scene and is known for his work with the hip-hop jazz trio Native Sun.
The 2026 ARTI Award winners are:
- Cultural Entrepreneur: Epicurean Indy
- Neighborhood Impact: Downtown Indy Alliance
- Artist / Activist: Alexa Adamson of Alley Cat Ceramics & Patina Gallery
- Corporate Leadership: First Merchants
- Community Partnership: Indy Indie Book Crawl
- Christel DeHaan Lifetime Achievement: Deborah Asante
Start with Art 2026 Sponsors
The Indy Arts Council would like to thank and recognize all of this year’s sponsors:
- Presenting Sponsor: Schahet Hotels
- Matching Grant Sponsor: Efroymson Family Fund
- ARTI Award Sponsor: Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF)
- Platinum Sponsors: Birge Family Foundation; First Merchants; Indianapolis Airport Authority; The Indianapolis Foundation; J.P. Morgan Private Bank
- Gold Sponsors: AES Indiana; Butler Arts; Christel DeHaan; Eli Lilly and Company; The National Bank of Indianapolis; Pacers Sports & Entertainment
- Silver Sponsors: American Structurepoint; Barnes & Thornburg; Brightstar; Glick Philanthropies; Indianapolis Colts; Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Markey’s; Newfields; Schmidt Associates
- Bronze Sponsors: Borshoff; Brenda Horn; Children’s Museum of Indianapolis; Citizens Energy Group; CSO; Destination Indy; FlashPoint Leadership; Herbert Simon Family Foundation; Ice Miller; Indiana Sports Corp; IndyStar; IU Health; JD Foundation; Lacy Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; The Mind Trust; Mirror Indy; Music for All; NFP; Pile CPAs; Purdue University in Indianapolis; Ritz Charles; Shiel Sexton; Taft; Visit Indy
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.