The Indiana Economic Development Corp. awarded $2 million total for two projects in the Northwest Indiana area.
The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative awards are a part of at $1.25 billion investment in 15 regions throughout the state. Arts & Culture grants totaled $62.3 million and are expected to generate a $369.6 million investment in the state's arts and culture economy.
“As a state, we’re powering our communities forward by investing in the vision and strategies of Indiana’s regions,” said Gov. Mike Braun in a press release. “Indiana’s art and culture sector already contributes $10.1 billion annually to the state’s economy. These investments in our creative assets and workforce will transform Hoosier neighborhoods and communities while boosting tourism and commerce, creating new jobs and career pathways, and fueling Indiana’s economy for years to come.”
The Brook Carnegie Cultural Expansion Project, which is expected to cost a total of $3.87 million, earned a $1.9 million READI 2.0 Arts & Culture award. The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District will receive $172,756 toward a project that will cost a total of $255,191.
The Brook Iroquois Washington Public Library project will include expansion of programming in rural southern Newton County. The Miller Beach project includes capital improvements to the 70-year-old Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts and The Annex, and funds for Lake Effekt ArtsFest in
June 2027.
Each region developed an arts and culture plan to vie for funding.
“A vibrant arts and culture environment retains and attracts talent and employers, diversifies local economies, and celebrates local heritage and traditions,” said Miah Michaelsen, executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “These projects that are happening because of this groundbreaking READI investment will transform quality of place in our regions and establish Indiana as a leading destination for arts and culture.”
Art Barn School of Art Capital Campaign and Expansion and the Valparaiso Creative Station and Satellite Center were listed as receiving capacity building grants.
Other projects that received funding in Northern Indiana include:
- Historic State Theater South Bend Transformation, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County – $4 million
- Howard Park Bandshell, City of South Bend – $3 million
- Freight Street District Initiative, City of Elkhart – $1.5 million
- Music Town, Visit South Bend Mishawaka – $350,000
- Northern Indiana Clay Center, Northern Indiana Clay Alliance – $300,000
The initiative funded 49 projects across all 15 Indiana regions. Learn more about the READI 2.0 2026 Arts & Culture Awards here.
