Indiana First Region Arts & Culture Regional Strategic Plan

The Indiana First Region, composed of Harrison, Knox, Pike, Perry, and Spencer counties, sought to develop a strategic approach to arts and culture investment across the five-county region. The Region is home to many historically significant landmarks and heritage sites, in addition to a burgeoning fine and performing arts scene.

Made possible by the Indiana READI Grant and Lilly Endowment and facilitated by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the effort presented an opportunity for communities across the Region to develop transformative arts and culture assets that could drive economic development and visitation from beyond the Region. The goal was to establish actionable next steps for existing and future venues and define how individual projects fit within the Region’s broader tourism and cultural heritage strategy.

Hunden Partners completed an arts and culture venue inventory and needs assessment, resulting in a strategic plan for the Indiana First Region. The Strategy considered perceived gaps, opportunities, synergies, venue support space, and other issues across the regional arts and entertainment ecosystem.

Through market research, inventory assessment, and stakeholder engagement, Hunden evaluated market realities and priority needs expressed by the community. Based on this analysis, Hunden formed initial recommendations for priority arts and culture projects, identifying five priority projects and providing high-level financial projections for each.

The Strategy equipped the Client and associated communities with data to help prevent duplicative development and support a regionally robust and diverse arts and entertainment ecosystem. It also provided a framework for structuring the Region’s entertainment, arts, and culture strategy around market realities and community priorities, with five identified priority projects and actionable next steps for future investment.