Martindale Brightwood’s arts and culture tradition has been nurtured by churches, having the reputation for music excellence and often hosting plays and other cultural events. This new plan builds on this historic legacy of church partnership, but infuses arts and culture into other anchor institutions to reach more residents. Some of these organizations are already doing the work and are partnering with KIB, Indianapolis Arts Council, and Harrison Center for electrical box art, murals, and other public art. But, much more needs to be done to engage residents and stakeholders in arts and culture.
Arts and culture goals seek to identify and elevate Martindale Brightwood artists, provide arts education to foster a new generation of artists and arts engagement, connect residents to and preserve neighborhood culture, and create more venues and events to benefit the neighborhood. The goal is that in five years, more residents will be engaged in cultivating a vibrant community where residents know the neighborhood's history, celebrate its culture, and create art and music that honor its history and shape its future. Martindale Brightwood will be a beacon of creativity and community expression.
This will happen through a collective approach– each neighbor, neighborhood, church, or anchor institution leveraging resources and connections to arts and culture. And, while these arts and culture goals will strengthen the cultural life of the neighborhood, they will also support the broader work and success of the quality of life plan. Arts and culture cannot thrive in a silo, but in relationship and partnership with other quality of life plan goals.
Goals And Strategies
Goal 1
Engage with community artists and residents to create and showcase art that reflects the culture and aspirations of Martindale-Brightwood.
Strategy 1.1
Identify and engage artists living or working in Martindale Brightwood.
Identify and engage artists living or working in Martindale Brightwood.
Strategy 1.2
Kickstart community art workshops led by local artists to provide residents with opportunities to create and exhibit their artwork.
Kickstart community art workshops led by local artists to provide residents with opportunities to create and exhibit their artwork.
Strategy 1.3
Collaborate with artists to make Martindale Brightwood beautiful through public art.
Collaborate with artists to make Martindale Brightwood beautiful through public art.
Goal 2
Intergenerational Education and Cultural Preservation: Educate the community across generations about the history and cultural significance of Martindale Brightwood
Intergenerational Education and Cultural Preservation: Educate the community across generations about the history and cultural significance of Martindale Brightwood
Strategy 2.1
Launch and continue oral history projects that capture the stories and experiences of long time residents ensuring intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Launch and continue oral history projects that capture the stories and experiences of long time residents ensuring intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Strategy 2.2
Conduct workshops and seminars on the community history and heritage of Martindale Brightwood, led by local historians and elders.
Conduct workshops and seminars on the community history and heritage of Martindale Brightwood, led by local historians and elders.
Strategy 2.3
Revive storytelling for family and community as an art form
Revive storytelling for family and community as an art form
Strategy 2.4
Develop guided historical tours of Martindale Brightwood showcasing landmarks and cultural sites
Develop guided historical tours of Martindale Brightwood showcasing landmarks and cultural sites
Goal 3
Establish spaces and events in Martindale Brightwood to feature the community’s arts and culture
Strategy 3.1
Establish community art galleries and cultural spaces to exhibit local artwork and cultural artifacts to capture the neighborhood’s history.
Establish spaces and events in Martindale Brightwood to feature the community’s arts and culture
Strategy 3.1
Establish community art galleries and cultural spaces to exhibit local artwork and cultural artifacts to capture the neighborhood’s history.
Strategy 3.2
Make Martindale Brightwood the Porching Capital in Indianapolis to build neighbor relationships
Make Martindale Brightwood the Porching Capital in Indianapolis to build neighbor relationships
