Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc
The Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc (also known as Indy Arts Council) is a nonprofit arts service organization established in 1987 by the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the organization serves as central Indiana's leading arts advocacy and services agency. The Arts Council fosters meaningful engagement in the arts by nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.9M
-13.2% YoY
Revenue
$4.9M
-30.5% YoY
Net Investment Income
$193K
+109.0% YoY
Expenses
$6.3M
+36.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To champion arts and culture.
Vision: A creative life for all.
The organization believes every resident of Indianapolis should experience arts and culture in a way that nourishes and inspires them. The Arts Council supports over 100 organizations and works to introduce the arts to new audiences through community outreach while bolstering creative innovation and economic development.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Arts grants for nonprofits
- Arts access and participation
- Arts programming
- Creative writing grants
Grantmaking
The Arts Council administers the City of Indianapolis Annual Grants Program, which provides funding to 103 nonprofit arts and culture organizations.
Grant Range
$7,000–$99,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Arts Council focuses on Indianapolis and central Indiana. The organization has worked to include local artists in events organized in partnership with major institutions including the Indianapolis 500, Super Bowl XLVI, NCAA Final Fours, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and the Indianapolis International Airport.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $8,946,361 (most recent filing)
Annual Giving: $2,759,601
Total Expenses: $6.2 million (2023)
Giving Rate: 38.6% of assets
Budget: $1.7 million
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since February 1988
EIN: 31-1225893
Rating: Four-Star charity with a 96% score on Charity Navigator, earning a "Great" rating for Accountability & Finance
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,946,361 | $10,308,474 | $7,296,643 |
| Revenue | $4,903,445 | $7,056,949 | $4,531,851 |
| Expenses | $6,312,251 | $4,627,662 | $6,201,389 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $192,716 | $92,226 | $74,404 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Arts Council of Indianapolis Inc
Annual Grants Program
ARTS COUNCIL OF INDIANAPOLIS INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
February 16, 2027
Art for Awareness Grants
ARTS COUNCIL OF INDIANAPOLIS INC
Amount
$5,000 - $65,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Mental Health & Wellness Grants for Creatives
ARTS COUNCIL OF INDIANAPOLIS INC
Amount
$250 - $750
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Judith B. Thomas
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENDA HORN | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| KAREN KENNELLY | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| KAREN ALTER | VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| GREGG JASON NOYAN | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| TANYA STUART OVERDORF | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 3 | — |
| BROOKE BARNETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL HULKA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHAWN MULHOLLAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID NIE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JILL HAUSER ROBISCH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DESERI GARCIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MONIKA MALA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PATRICK TALTY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG WALLIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADRIENNE SIMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH HEMPSTEAD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALEESIA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRYCE BENNETT | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| DAN APPEL | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| FRANK BASILE | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| BARBARA BRANIC | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM CHAVERS | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| TED GIVENS | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL HUBER | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| STAN HURT | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| ERIK JOHNSON | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| KRISTA SKIDMORE | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| MARK VARNAU | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN WILLIAMS | ADVISOR | 1 | — |
| JULIE GOODMAN | PAST PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $175,762 |
| MOLLY CHAVERS | INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $8,651 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Arts Council announced 2025 Project Grant recipients for artists and nonprofit arts and culture organizations
Indy Arts Council Awards new Project Grants to artists and nonprofit artsThe organization announced 2025 ARTI Award winners to be recognized at the annual Start with Art celebration on August 21
Indy Arts Council announces 2025 ARTI Award winners & performers to be recognizedThe Arts Council received a $75,000 grant from Glick Philanthropies
Indy Arts Council Awards new Project Grants to artists and nonprofit artsThe organization announced the 2025 DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award Winners
Indy Arts Council Awards new Project Grants to artists and nonprofit artsContact Information
Website: indyarts.org
Address: 924 N Pennsylvania St Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1060
Phone: 317-631-3301
Email: indyarts@indyarts.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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