Indianapolis/Central Indiana Arts Inventory, Needs Assessment & Arts Ecosystem Strategic Plan

The Indy Arts Council (IAC) and Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) sought to understand how the existing arts and entertainment venue ecosystem was meeting the needs of the Indianapolis/Central Indiana metropolitan statistical area and where gaps and opportunities existed. CICF was developing its first strategic plan to work in tandem with that of the City of Indianapolis and create a unified vision for more than nine central Indiana counties, including a thorough understanding of existing conditions and future entertainment venue needs.

While Indianapolis and the surrounding area had many existing venues, the Client identified perceived gaps in the market, including a concert venue accommodating approximately 450 to 1,000 patrons. Coordinating rehearsal calendars among smaller venues also limited availability, contributing to some acts going elsewhere. Venue support space and other facility considerations were additional factors in understanding the region’s needs.

Hunden Partners was engaged by IAC and CICF to complete an arts and culture venue inventory and needs assessment for the Indianapolis/Central Indiana metropolitan statistical area. The analysis examined the region’s existing entertainment ecosystem and assessed perceived gaps and opportunities, including venue capacity, availability, rehearsal scheduling, and support space.

The study equipped the Client and associated stakeholder communities with data to help prevent duplicative development and support a regionally robust and diverse entertainment ecosystem. It enabled the Client to structure its entertainment strategy around market realities and priority needs expressed by the community.