Art by kids about community! Campers from Herron School of Art and Design’s summer Youth Art Camp will exhibit their art on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, on Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This fun and creative one-day display will be by the IUPUI portion of the Trail following Blackford Street between Vermont and New York Streets.

On view will be collaborative artworks made by campers, such as ceramic totem poles created with visiting artist Barbara Zech or colorfully drawn magnets, signs and flags with sayings such as: “Love this Trail”, “Art: Get Inspired” or “Clear Your Mind and Look”.

Trail Director Kären Haley spoke to camp participants throughout the summer to help inspire and educate them about the role of the Trail in connecting people and places. Over 200 participants entering grades 2 to 10 attended Herron’s Youth Art Camp 2012 day camp during one-week or two-week sessions.

The public and camp participants and their families and friends are invited to spend the Saturday experiencing camp artwork while using the Trail for walking or riding and exploring nearby cultural sites, such as White River State Park.

For more information about Herron’s Community Learning Programs, visit www.HerronCommunity.org or call (317) 278-9404.

Photos: TOP--Audrey creates with clay at Herron's Youth Art Camp. MIDDLE--Young artists in Herron's Youth Art Camp visit with Kären Haley, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. BOTTOM--Herron's Youth Art Camp rode bikes to see Barbara Zech's ceramic mural on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick.

Local group announces Payne Connect10n Plaza, a trailhead that will honor more than a decade of community building and trail construction.

In April 2007, construction on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick began on Alabama Street. A mix of construction signs, barricades and jackhammers hinted at the amount of work required to construct an eight-mile bike and pedestrian path through the city’s urban core. But behind the tools and signs were six years of brainstorming, partnership building, fundraising and community planning paved the way for the project. Since that 2007 ground-breaking ceremony and over $6 million in investment, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has created connections between Indianapolis’ five Cultural Districts, several neighborhoods, entertainment venues, and central Indiana’s greenway system.

Central Indiana Community Foundation CEO and President, Brian Payne, and wife, Gail Payne, have championed, shepherded and fretted over the concept from a “big, bold and beautiful” idea to a broad partnership that has made the Trail a reality. Over time that partnership has grown to include the City of Indianapolis, local philanthropists, federal funding sources, corporate leaders, artists and many others. Though the Trail was built to string downtown’s cultural institutions together for pedestrians and bicyclists, its philosophical soul lies in a focus on connectivity – for the city and for the many communities through which the trails travel.

That connectivity is reflected in The East 10th Street Civic Association’s recent announcement about the creation of the “Payne Connect10n”, a plaza that will provide a key connection point on the city’s near eastside. At the convergence of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, the Monon Trail, and the future Pogue’s Run Trail Connector, the project will serve as a key connector at the intersection of East 10th Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Named in honor of Brian & Gail Payne's vision and development of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the site will include directional, interpretive and identity signage, globular lanterns and a trailhead sculpture.

The Payne Connect10n Plaza, projected to be completed and dedicated in Fall 2012, culminates several years of community planning and volunteering. Through the East 10th Street Commercial Revitalization Work Program, the Project for Public Spaces and the East 10th Street Urban Design & Gateway Plan, many community partners have been focused on creating a more beautiful and connected environment along East 10th Street. The Super Bowl Legacy Project and Lilly Day of Service corporate volunteer project have both contributed support - from finances to manpower – to the first phase of the project; the payne connect10n plaza will be the second phase.

Indianapolis Takes America's Boldest Step

With $3 billion in new tourism products brought online, Indianapolis has continued full-speed ahead. Indianapolis’ newest endeavor, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, does not stop the trend.

The Cultural Trail is a world-class bike and pedestrian path that allows both visitors and locals to explore the Circle City the right way. Coined one of the most walkable downtowns in the nation, Indy will use this innovative project to aid in healthy and convenient travel.

The five downtown cultural districts connected by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail include Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, the Canal & White River State Park and the Wholesale District. The Cultural Trail will also connect with the Monon Trail, allowing visitors easy access to Broad Ripple Village from downtown.

AMERICA’S BOLDEST STEP: The $63 million Cultural Trail connects Indy’s six cultural districts, showcasing many of Indy’s major attractions. This project, often compared to Paris’ Velib, has been named “one of the biggest and boldest steps by any American City” by the Project of Public Spaces.

PEDAL WITH PUBLIC ART: The trail passes by significant art installments around Indianapolis. In its finishing stages is an Acconci art installment called “Swarm Street” where visitors are swarmed by “fireflies” or over 1000 LED lights that follow those down this portion of the trail.

Visit the article on the Breaking Travel News website here. 

For Immediate Release:
 July 29, 2011

New Developments Announced for Fred Wilson’s E Pluribus Unum Public Artwork

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — After receiving multiple requests from concerned citizens, including Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) has agreed to a change of location of the proposed E Pluribus Unum, a public art project for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick.

The artwork, which would recreate a figure currently found on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was originally to be located on the front plaza of the City-County Building in conjunction with a nearby section of the Cultural Trail.

Fred Wilson, the artist who proposed E Pluribus Unum, is internationally recognized for his work “repurposing” icons and artifacts in order to create new perspectives and meanings, and to help people see those artifacts in a different way, as he intends to do with E Pluribus Unum. His artwork was commissioned following recommendations made by the Cultural Trail Curatorial Advisory Committee, which was comprised of local curators of contemporary art, local artists, and relevant design professionals.

“The project is currently in its proposal state, and remains on hold,” said Brian Payne, president and CEO of CICF. “Since the project’s inception we have been committed to a full and inclusive discussion throughout the entire community in order to determine how best to proceed with this project, including whether the project should be completed at all. As a result of this process, the project would not be located on the City County Building property, and we will continue gathering additional feedback regarding the location and other elements in order to best address community interests.”

A series of community meetings, developed in conjunction with the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership network, a committee of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, has been in the planning stages, and dates will be announced soon. Those interested in attending the meetings to discuss the project may find a schedule, along with more information about the project, at fredwilsonindy.org, or by calling 317.631.6542, ext. 173. 

ABOUT CENTRAL INDIANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) is a $585 million public foundation transforming the lives of central Indiana residents in three ways: consulting donors, family foundations and their professional advisors on charitable giving; awarding grants to effective not-for-profit organizations; and providing leadership to address community needs and seize opportunities. CICF was established in 1997 as a partnership between The Indianapolis Foundation, serving Marion County since 1916, and Legacy Fund, serving Hamilton County since 1991. For more information about CICF, visit cicf.org, or contact Mike Knight at mikek@cicf.org.

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2011

Fred Wilson Public Art Project Discontinued
CICF will support new public art/memorial project to be led by community advocates

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – E Pluribus Unum, a proposed public art project by New York-based artist Fred Wilson for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick has been discontinued following unanimous votes by the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. Boards of Directors. The decision came after the conclusion of a two-year community input process. CICF will instead support a new public art/memorial project to be located on the Cultural Trail that will be led by a group of community advocates who participated in the process.

The project featured a reproduction and “repurposing” of an African-American man whose image is currently found on The Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the center of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Wilson’s artwork proposed repositioning the nameless figure and having him hold a flag of the African diaspora as means of reimagining the man’s identity; the artwork was initially proposed to be located on a section of the Cultural Trail on Washington Street which travels beside the Indianapolis City-County Building, but in July, 2011, CICF and the City of Indianapolis (co-lead partners for the Cultural Trail) announced the project, if it moved forward, would no longer be placed in that location.

In the four “Community Matters” public discussions held by CICF in consultation with the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network, a committee of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, over 90 percent of the participants requested that the project not move forward.  This was consistent with the other public input that was received by CICF over the past 12 months.

“This has been a long and challenging process,” Brian Payne, the President and CEO of CICF said.  “Our intention was to be inclusive and commission artists of color, including Fred Wilson, who is acknowledged as one of the great American contemporary artists and an artist whose past work has been celebrated by African Americans across the country. Regretfully this proposed work has inflamed a number of long-standing sensitivities within our African-American community,” Payne said. “Through community input, and many thoughtful community discussions, and conversations with our stakeholders, we clearly learned that it would be inappropriate to move forward with this project. This has often been a painful journey for many in our community, and I apologize for causing that pain. But it has also been a journey of connecting and learning from one another.  We can now move forward together to create a new public art/memorial project for the Cultural Trail for which we can all be proud – which has always been our intent at CICF. It has been an honor to get to know Fred Wilson, an artist of immense talent and vision, who has exuded class, grace, and patience during these past two years of community discussions," Payne said.

In all, CICF held seven community meetings, one large town hall discussion and created a website (fredwilsonindy.org) to support education, discussion and input about the project. CICF has spent $75,000 on realizing design concepts and coordinating the public input process and has budgeted $175,000 to be used to support the development and creation of a new public art/memorial project which will be overseen by a group of African American community advocates that participated in the earlier public process. A kickoff meeting for that work will be scheduled in early 2012, and will be promoted widely throughout the community and through www.indyculturaltrail.org.

NOTES TO MEDIA: 

About Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF)

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) is a $608 million public foundation transforming the lives of central Indiana residents in three ways: consulting with donors, family foundations and their professional advisors on charitable giving; awarding grants to effective not-for-profit organizations; and providing leadership to address community needs and to seize opportunities. CICF was established in 1997 as a partnership between The Indianapolis Foundation, serving Marion County since 1916, and Legacy Fund, serving Hamilton County since 1991. 

For more information about CICF, call 317.634.2423 or visit www.cicf.org.

About Fred Wilson/E PLURIBUS UNUM:
Fred Wilson is a conceptual visual artist who has worked with museums and collections around the world. He is best known for rearranging art objects and other collectibles into unusual displays to portray the under-represented perspectives of people of color. Wilson’s compelling, site-specific installations draw upon standard curatorial practices to tease out connections between objects, people, places, and local or national histories. Wilson has a long list of honors and awards that includes a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award (1999) and the Larry Aldrich Foundation Award (2003).  Wilson is on the Board of Trustees for the Whitney Museum of American Art and the American Academy in Rome.  He has represented the United States at the International Cairo Biennale (1992) and the Venice Biennale (2003) and his work is held in numerous collections worldwide, including the High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City and The Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio.  In 2007 he received an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University.  Fred Wilson is represented by The Pace Gallery, New York.

Contact:
Ronnetta Spalding
317.507.2366
ronnetta.spalding@yahoo.com

Cultural Trail’s ‘Swarm Street’ Project Selected as a
National Leader Through New ArtPlace Initiative

Receives $250,000 Investment from Widely Influential
Private-Public Collaboration to Revitalize America’s Cities and Towns

Indianapolis, IN – In an innovative development that is affecting Indianapolis as well as some two dozen other cities and towns across the nation, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick has received a grant of $250,000 from an unprecedented new private-public collaboration, ArtPlace (www.artplaceamerica.org).

The grant will help support the trail’s largest public art installation – “Swarm Street,” an interactive light environment designed by Vito Acconci and Acconci Studio of New York (pronounced “Uh-KON-chee”). Currently being constructed inside the Virginia Avenue parking garage south of Maryland, “Swarm Street” is being designed to resemble fireflies as more than 1,000 LED-lights are embedded on the pavement with another 1,000 installed in an open steel-framework above. Additionally, movement from people on the trail will activate light sensors that “swarm” around the user as they move throughout the space.

“Swarm Street” also holds a special distinction as the only public art project being honored with a grant.

“The Indianapolis Cultural Trail offers better connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists and improved ease of access to our cultural institutions and cultural districts in the neighborhoods in and around downtown,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Public art installations are vital components of revitalizing neighborhoods and beautifying our city. The unique, innovative nature of this piece further makes the trail a destination of its own.”

“We are extremely grateful to ArtPlace for recognizing the Cultural Trail and this innovative art project,” said Brian Payne, President and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and the Cultural Trail’s co-lead partner with the City of Indianapolis. “Through ‘Swarm Street’ we are giving residents and visitors another way to move around our city with better visibility and less barriers. And, this piece of the trail provides a perfect connector from downtown Indianapolis to neighborhoods and businesses south of the downtown area that have been historically disconnected.”

ArtPlace grants are given through the combined support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Ford Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, The Robina Foundation and an anonymous donor. In addition to the NEA, federal partners are the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education and Transportation, along with leadership from the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Domestic Policy Council. Federal partners do not provide funding to ArtPlace but participate in the ArtPlace Presidents’ Council and Operating Committee meetings, ensuring alignment between high-priority federal investments and policy development and ArtPlace grants.

Announced for the first time on September 15, ArtPlace is an initiative of 11 of America’s top foundations working in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts and seven federal agencies. Its aim is to drive revitalization across the country by putting the arts at the center of economic development. ArtPlace has now announced its first round of grants, investing $11.5 million in 34 locally initiated projects in cities from Honolulu to Miami. Each project supported by ArtPlace has been selected for developing a new model of helping towns and cities thrive by strategically integrating artists and arts organizations into key local efforts in transportation, housing, community development, job creation and more.

“ArtPlace is accelerating creative placemaking, where cities and towns are using the arts and other creative assets to shape their social, physical and economic futures,” said Rocco Landesman, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts. “This approach brings new partners to the table to support the arts and recognizes the arts as vital drivers of community revitalization and development.”

The approach being taken by ArtPlace, known as “creative placemaking,” has emerged over the past twenty years as a promising way to increase the vitality of communities and help them grow. In 2011, the National Endowment for the Arts built on its two decades of work in creative placemaking by announcing the first grants in its new Our Town program, designed to support public-private partnerships to strengthen the arts while energizing the overall community. ArtPlace takes this movement a step further, as the first major public-private partnership to encourage creative placemaking across America.

“Economic development historically has been about bagging the buffalo—competing for the big employer to move operations to your city,” said Carol Coletta, President of ArtPlace. “But now we know the economic development game is all about how you deploy local assets to develop, attract and keep talent. So why would you not deploy every asset you have—including artists and the arts—to do that? That’s what ArtPlace is all about.“

Concurrent with announcing its first round of grants, ArtPlace has initiated its second funding cycle. A Letter of Inquiry has been posted on www.artplaceamerica.org as of September 15, 2011. Submissions may be made through November 15.

That's right! Together In Peace: The Glick Peace Walk won the Emmy ® in the Historical/Cultural Program or Special category. This Emmy ® was one of 5 wins for WFYI-PBS 20 Indianapolis. The documentary, produced by Kim Jacobs, followed the behind the scenes process of making the Glick Peace walk a reality. This installation is a tribute to those individuals who have made an impact on driving the nation forward through innovation and discovery. The Peace Walk is a part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis along Walnut Street between Meridian St. and Capitol Ave. From the artwork to the opening ceremony, Together In Peace might just help you to appreciate this beautiful addition to Indianapolis just a little ore, as the viewer is taken on the journey that made it possible.

Located inside the Virginia Avenue parking garage south of Maryland St., “Swarm Street” by Acconci Studio of New York (pronounced “Uh-KON-chee”), is an interactive light environment that the creators compare to swarms of fireflies. More than 1,000 LED-lights will be embedded below you in the pavement plus another 1,000 will be installed in an open steel-framework above you. Movement from users on the trail will activate light sensors that “swarm” around the user and follow the movement through the space.

The Cultural Trail’s Public Art Advisory Committee first approached Vito Acconci at Acconci Studio in 2007 based on his world-renowned reputation as an artist, designer, and thinker.

“The garage is our biggest design challenge,” said Brian Payne, president and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and the Cultural Trail’s co-lead partner with the City of Indianapolis. “In addition to the railroad and interstate, it creates another visual barrier to the neighborhoods south of downtown. We also anticipated that people would be concerned about using a trail that takes users through a dark space. We knew that a public art installation could transform this space from a dark scary place to a vibrant, fun destination.”

“As you walk through the tunnel, as you cycle through, a swarm of fireflies – above you, below you – gathers around you and lights your way; one sparkle attracts another, like a magnet, “ explains Acconci. “When someone passes you, when someone comes toward you, some sparkles veer off in a different direction, and a new flock of fireflies emerges.”

Acconci also has designed a donor recognition wall in this space. The names of donors who have contributed $100,000 or more will be laser cut from mirrored stainless steel and displayed along the interior of the installation.

Based in New York City, Acconci is one of the most important figures in art and architecture working today. From his days as a poet in the mid-1960’s, to his groundbreaking performance works of the 1970’s, and finally to the founding of Acconci Studio in 1988 to help realize architecture and public-space projects, Acconci has pushed from one discipline to the next while always thinking about language and the boundaries of the body. Seminal public projects include Mur Island, 2003, Graz, Austria, where the studio designed a floating island that houses a theatre, cafe, and playground.

The cost of the Indianapolis project is $975,000 and it is funded by private donations to the Cultural Trail. Acconci Studio’s design fee is ten percent, or $97,000, which pays for Acconci Studio’s design team and services, as well as outside consultants for the project. Other members of Acconci Studio’s team include Buro Happold Engineers, Interactive designer Zach Eveland of Blacklabel Development, Interactive designer Todd Holoubek, and RSVP Architecture Studio.

Most of the remaining costs will be re-invested locally by hiring Indiana-based contractors to handle fabrication and installation here in the city. Local construction contractor, Shiel Sexton, will provide construction management for the project and coordinate other sub-contractors.

“Shiel Sexton is proud to help the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Acconci Studios realize this bold public art project,” said Brian Sullivan of Shiel Sexton, which is donating its construction management fee. “Projects like this not only put Indianapolis on the global map, but they also provide jobs to highly skilled laborers and other professionals, which benefits our local economy.”

Shiel Sexton’s team of five local subcontractors will provide various functions such as concrete paver installation by Becker Landscapes, structural steel beam fabrication by Indiana Steel Fabrication, donor recognition name panels by Tarpenning-LaFollette, Co., aluminum armature system by Tuttle Railing Systems, and electrical circuitry, in-ground and armature lighting by Deem. In addition, all labor associated with installation of these scopes of work will be utilizing local labor forces.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates, the Cultural Trail’s lead design firm, worked closely with Acconci Studio to integrate their project into the Cultural Trail's overall design.

To date, more than $1 million has been invested into eight other commissions that are in the process of being installed during the trail’s initial design and construction. Artists or architects currently living in or with ties to Indiana created five of the eight projects. An additional three Indiana-based poets have been commissioned for work that will be featured on new Cultural Trail bus shelters with the possibility of five more authors receiving commissions.

Indianapolis-based artist Greg Hull sees this combination of local and nationally-renowned artists as a real benefit to the city’s growing public art collection.

“As an iconic, globally renowned contemporary artist, it's exciting to imagine Acconci’s work contributing to the definition of public art in our community,” said Hull. “I'm thrilled that the city will gain such a significant work and I believe it will be an important contribution to the Cultural Trail. I am also confident that this project will raise the national and international visibility of the arts in Indianapolis.”

“We are pleased to be working with Vito Acconci and the designers at Acconci Studio. Working with creative minds that push the boundaries of what is being built today is exhilarating,” said Mindy Taylor Ross, Cultural Trail public art coordinator. “Not many cities in the world can boast that they have a project by Acconci Studio. Like the Trail itself, it sends a signal that we are a city that values the ability of creative people to impact the quality of our public spaces and our lives.”

“Swarm Street” is currently under construction as part of the Southeast Corridor. It is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year.

For more information visit www.IndyCulturalTrail.org/publicart.

# # # 

This afternoon, Mayor Greg Ballard helped lead a ceremony celebrating the kick-off to the Cultural Trail’s biggest construction season so far. Nearly four miles of the uniquely designed eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian path will be built in 2011, connecting not only Fountain Square but also Washington Street, White River State Park and the IUPUI campus.

“Creating opportunities for our residents to bike and walk around our city helps increase connectivity between our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Ballard. “Once the half-mile greenways connection from Fountain Square to the Pleasant Run Trail is completed, you will be able to ride a bicycle on the Monon Trail from Westfield, 15 miles north of Indianapolis, through downtown on the Cultural Trail to Pleasant Run Trail and Garfield Park without ever being on the road. This level of connectivity will transform the way we live, work and play in Indianapolis and surrounding communities.”

Local residents have been very involved and supportive of the project. “This area has always been a wonderful place to live. Now it's becoming known as a great place to shop, eat or enjoy fantastic art,” said local Fletcher Place resident Bill Lovejoy. “As a resident I'm excited that the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will connect our neighborhoods with the rest of the city, so that others can explore the area easily and learn what we already know about this amazing part of Indianapolis.”

NEW FUNCTIONAL PUBLIC ART

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President and Cultural Trail founder Brian Payne emceed today’s event and honored the latest addition of public art to the Cultural Trail’s growing collection. “Moving Forward,” by Indianapolis-based architect Donna Sink, is a series of three custom-designed eco-friendly bus shelters that will showcase original poetry by published writers. The shelters will be located along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on the south side of Virginia Avenue near Lexington Street, McCarty Street and Woodlawn Avenue along IndyGo bus routes 12, 14 and 22. Each shelter will be comprised of ecoresin panels, which are made using 40 percent post-industrial re-grind content, mounted in a stainless steel frame. The shelters will be installed on TX Active photocatalytic cement pads. These pads will be self-cleaning and will help reduce many pollutants deemed harmful to human health and the environment.

The Writers’ Center of Indiana managed a selection process that began with a call for poets who either live in Indiana or have ties to Indiana and who have been previously published. Submitted poems had to have a thematic connection to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the “Moving Forward” public art project. John Sherman, an Indianapolis-based poet, read his winning poem “The Bowl of Possible Peas” to open today’s ceremony. Payne also introduced the other local poets and their poems: “Invisible Movements” by Karen Kovacik and “The Painters” by Richard Pflum.

SPURRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Fountain Square Merchant Association President Craig Von Deylen, owner and developer of the Murphy Art Center and a $9 million development planned for the southwest corner of Virginia Avenue and McCarty Street, spoke about the impact the project is already having in the area. “The Cultural Trail will be an effective connection between Fountain Square and the center of Indianapolis and will allow pedestrian and bicycle access to the already established arts, entertainment and cultural activity that has been occurring here in Fountain Square. Being able to access that traffic has driven our decisions to locate many projects along the future trail.”

Eli Lilly and Company gave $1 million to the Cultural Trail and it is planning a $1 million expansion into its campus off South Street. Lilly CEO Dr. John Lechleiter is one of the biggest advocates and funders of the Cultural Trail because of its power to help recruit and retain top research scientists and executives to Lilly.

“The perception of Indianapolis and its quality of life is vital to Lilly’s efforts to recruit and retain world-class research talent. While Indianapolis already has many amenities to attract talent, I believe we must continue to strive for a dynamic national reputation if our city is going to successfully compete among other life-science hubs throughout the world including Shanghai, Copenhagen, and Delhi. It has been my experience that those cities are constantly raising the bar to attract global talent. We in Indianapolis must do the same," said Lechleiter. “Today’s knowledge worker demands distinctive natural, recreational, cultural and lifestyle amenities when selecting a place to live, work, and play. The Cultural Trail connects all of these demands in a way that no other city has done – which will allow Indianapolis to stand apart from the other cities. We at Lilly believe the Cultural Trail creates a unique 21st Century quality of life experience that will attract international attention."

Other destinations connected by the Cultural Trail agree. "The beautiful vision and interconnectivity of the Cultural Trail will bring international attention to Indianapolis, and the Conrad is very honored to be a landmark upon the Trail. This new amenity truly fuses an art and wellness initiative that I am so thrilled for our guests from all over the world to be able to enjoy," said Greg Tinsley, general manager of Conrad Indianapolis.

According to a 2009 economic development study, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will create more than 11,000 jobs and the economic benefits attributable to the Cultural Trail will exceed $863 million. This is based on a study conducted by the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment and calculates investments from expected increase in downtown residential and commercial ownership, attraction of creative-class talent, and increases in tourism and convention stays.

This study was used in the successful grant proposal that awarded $20.5 million to the Cultural Trail from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nearly 1,400 other proposals totaling more than $57 billion in requests from around the U.S. were submitted for $1.5 billion in available transportation funding. The Cultural Trail was one of 51 proposals awarded and one of only two trail projects in the country to receive funding.

“There is no other trail project in the world that both connects you directly to a city’s most desirable destinations while also making the journey a beautiful, inspiring experience,” said Payne. “The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has catapulted Indianapolis into the global consciousness as a leader in urban trail design, transportation infrastructure and as one of the most livable communities in the country.”

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

The Cultural Trail is built in seven corridor phases. The Southeast Corridor (on Virginia Avenue from Washington Street to Prospect Street) began construction this week at Washington Street and Virginia Avenue. The contract to construct the 1-mile Southeast Corridor was awarded to Hunt Paving Company for $7.9 million. Sunesis Construction was awarded the contract for the Central Corridor (Washington Street from Alabama Street to West Street) for $5.2 million, and construction will begin soon. The West Corridor (Blackford Street from Indiana Avenue to White River State Park) will be bid on March 9.

To date, $63 million has been raised to complete the eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian project that connects the five downtown cultural districts and greenway trails.

More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and its construction schedule is available on its website, www.IndyCulturalTrail.org.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.

###

January 25, 2011 -- Central Indiana Community Foundation is proud to announce it has received the prestigious Joyce Award from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation in support of E Pluribus Unum, a public art project by Fred Wilson commissioned for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. Since 2003, the Joyce Awards program has been the only granting opportunity exclusively supporting artists of color in major Midwestern cities. The $50,000 award is made directly to arts organizations, and is meant to support the work of individual artists as well as significant community engagements.  

Joyce Awards are made throughout the Great Lakes/Midwest region; applications are reviewed by independent artists from outside the Midwest and approved by the Joyce Foundation’s board of directors. E Pluribus Unum is the only Indianapolis-based project to receive a 2011 Joyce Award. Past Indianapolis-based recipients include the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Repertory Theatre and other organizations. (For a complete list of Joyce Award recipients in 2011).

“Receiving a Joyce Award is a great honor,” said Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President and CEO Brian Payne, who is leading the Cultural Trail's $2 million investment of new public artwork along the Trail. "While we remain fully committed to a process that will allow much more dialogue about this project, a process that is fully supported by the Joyce Foundation, this type of national recognition acknowledges and celebrates the vital role art is playing in creating the opportunity for dialogue around race relations in Indianapolis." 

The grant may be used in part to underwrite Wilson's artist commission, and the remainder will be used as part of an effort to engage in ongoing public outreach and education about the artwork. Since October, E Pluribus Unum has been on hold while the CICF and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee's Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network hold additional community conversations in 2011.

The first series of conversations, entitled “Art Matters,” will provide opportunities for residents to obtain comprehensive information about E Pluribus Unum, talk and discuss feedback about the project. Facilitated by local art educators, in these sessions community members will view images related to the project, and “unpack” the meanings they convey. Each discussion is limited to 20 participants. After the group discussion, people will be invited to record (in writing or in audio form) their perspectives and opinions on the project. The collective dialogue may influence when the art is installed, what’s around the art, where it’s located and what other artworks might be commissioned as a result of this project’s completion. A second series of conversations, based upon the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network’s Study Circle process, offers small groups an opportunity to discuss race or other issues and develops a plan to implement specific outcomes.

Included in the public outreach is the development of an educational website devoted specifically to the project, www.fredwilsonindy.org. The site’s goal is to provide comprehensive information and perspectives about the project, including previously undistributed illustrations, videos and links to a variety of previous media coverage. It is being designed to feature significant contributions from area high school and college students to serve as both an arts education opportunity as well as a public site for community youth interested in public discourse and journalism.

The “Art Matters” schedule will be announced soon, and will also be posted at www.fredwilsonindy.org; those interested in participating may use the site to register and RSVP for attending or by calling Alicia Barnett at 317.631.6542 x173 or e-mail ArtMatters@cicf.org. The site will also include community feedback and additional information.

ABOUT FRED WILSON/E PLURIBUS UNUM:

Fred Wilson is a conceptual visual artist who has worked with museums and collections around the world. He is best known for rearranging art objects and other collectibles into unusual displays to portray the under-represented perspectives of people of color. Wilson’s compelling, site-specific installations draw upon standard curatorial practices to tease out connections between objects, people, places, and local or national histories. Wilson has a long list of honors and awards that includes a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award (1999) and the Larry Aldrich Foundation Award (2003). He is the Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Object, Exhibition, and Knowledge at Skidmore College; has represented the United States at the Biennial Cairo (1992) and Venice Biennale (2003); and in 2007 received an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s garden will be located on the southeast corner of Washington Street, Virginia Avenue and Pennsylvania Street.  It will be built as part of the Cultural Trail's Southeast Corridor construction scheduled to begin later this spring and completed by the end of the year.  

Abraham Lincoln's garden will be located on the southwest corner of Washington Street and Capitol Avenue.  It will be built as part of the Cultural Trail's Capitol Avenue construction currently underway and will be completed later this spring.  

“The luminary gardens and panels paying tribute to these great Americans, to be featured prominently along the two-block installation on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, will educate us, inspire future generations, and offer a timeless opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize their historical impact,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “The Indianapolis Cultural Trail not only connects all our Downtown destinations, but becomes a destination in itself, and we are proud to showcase individuals who made a difference through peace.”

For more information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail's Glick Peace Walk visit www.IndyCulturalTrail.org/Glick-Peace-Walk.

# # # 

# # #

Rather than creating an isolated vertical monument, designers of The Glick Peace Walk examined how to create an installation woven into the urban fabric of Indianapolis, and accessible to the public via the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. The linear design and expansive two-block installation—which recognizes 12 Americans who contributed greatly to our country’s progress was—is a true representation of peace, and a wonderful addition to the city that boasts more monuments to lives lost and heroes created during war than any American city, except Washington, D.C.

"The Glick Peace walk has taken a barren street and transformed it into a tree lined boulevard open to pedestrians and bicyclists,” said David Forsell, president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., which presents that annual awards. “It has introduced a unique monument to a city of monuments; created a new connection between the USS Indianapolis Memorial, downtown canal and the American Legion Mall, and has added value to the acclaimed, and highly anticipated Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The Glick Peace Walk is a beautiful and imaginative place and a unique, new downtown destination for residents and visitors—making a monumental contribution to our city.”

Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA) designed the Glick Peace Walk and served as the lead designer on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Ten of the 12 sculptures are located on Walnut St. between Meridian St. and Capitol Ave.  The remaining two sculptures, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, will be installed on Washington St. in 2011 at Pennsylvania St. and Capitol Ave., respectively. 

Read more about the Glick Peace Walk.  

Watch "Together in Peace" a 30-minute documentary by WFYI Productions and Kim Jacobs about the making of the Glick Peace Walk.

The Northeast Corridor, a 1.2-mile section of the Cultural Trail, was officially opened today, connecting completed portions of the trail from North and Alabama streets through the heart of the Mass Ave Cultural District to the Monon Trail at 10th Street. The event celebrated the opening of the Efroymson Family Corridor, a six-block section of trail from North and Alabama streets to College and Massachusetts avenues, which recognizes the family’s $2 million gift to the project, and officially welcomed three new public art installations into the downtown collection.

“The City of Indianapolis is well on its way to meeting the recent Livability Challenge to provide residents access to beauty through art, nature and good design every day,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Creating opportunities for our residents to bike and walk around our City helps to increase the connectivity between our neighborhoods, while this growing network of pedestrian and bicycle paths is a catalyst for economic growth.”

PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS  

Lori Efroymson-Aguilera explained why the Efroymsons were one of the first donors to the project, initially with $1 million and later with another $1 million gift. 

“We are proud to play a role in helping the Indianapolis Cultural Trail become a valued and unique community amenity that serves everyone,” said Efroymson-Aguilera. “Family philanthropy has helped build a better Indianapolis for generations. It is our honor to once again work in partnership with other families including members of the Lacy and Eccles family, the Pulliam family, and of course, the Glick family to make this bold dream a reality.”

NEW PUBLIC ART

Three new public art installations along this section of completed Cultural Trail were another reason to celebrate. All three artists have ties to Indianapolis or Indiana and one, Stuart Hyatt, from Indianapolis and a member of the artist collaborative M12, spoke about what an honor it is to have “Prairie Modules 1 & 2” included in the Cultural Trail.

“M12 has ongoing projects throughout the country, but Indianapolis has given us our largest commission yet,” said Hyatt. “The Cultural Trail is the type of experiment that could pay huge dividends for this city and we are excited to add our aesthetic to this visionary project.”

The other public art installations are “Care, Don’t Care” by Jamie Pawlus from Indianapolis that takes a twist on a typical “walk, don’t walk” sign and invites trail users on Massachusetts Avenue to share their cares. “Chatham Passage,” by Sean Derry, formerly of Bloomington, Indiana, is a multi-sensory experience found in the alley off Massachusetts Avenue that includes a lit and rose-scented vault with a hand-made lattice metal grate. 

The three art installations make a total of four permanent pieces completed on the trail to date. The first artwork, a four-sided display featuring a woman perpetually dancing in orange LED lights entitled “Ann Dancing” by Julian Opie, was installed at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue, Vermont Street and Alabama Street in 2008. Three additional projects have been commissioned for the remaining portions of the trail.

SPURRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

According to a recent economic development study, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will create more than 11,000 jobs and the economic benefits attributable to the Cultural Trail will exceed $863 million. This is based on a study conducted by the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment and calculates investments from expected increase in downtown residential and commercial ownership, attraction of creative-class talent, and increases in tourism and convention stays.

This study was used in the successful grant proposal that awarded $20.5 million to the Cultural Trail from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nearly 1,400 other proposals totaling over $57 billion in requests from around the U.S. were submitted for $1.5 billion in available transportation funding. The Cultural Trail was one of 51 proposals awarded and one of only two trail projects in the country to receive funding.

Even though he was not able to attend today’s event, Congressman André Carson has been a strong advocate for the Cultural Trail and helped secure the TIGER grant.

“The jobs created through its construction and the businesses that that will benefit along its path will ensure that the Cultural Trail will be an economic driver for Indianapolis for decades to come,” said Congressman André Carson.

CICF President Brian Payne originated the idea of the Cultural Trail and has championed this project since 2001. He reiterated the importance and power of connecting people to the front door or within a block of the best of downtown Indianapolis.

“There is no other trail project in the world that both connects you directly to a city’s most desirable destinations while also making the journey a beautiful, inspiring experience,” said Payne. “The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has catapulted Indianapolis into the global consciousness as a leader in urban trail design, transportation infrastructure and as one of the most livable communities in the country."

This is the third of seven construction phases, or corridors, to be completed. The half-mile East Corridor, on Alabama Street from North Street to Market Street, was completed in June 2008, and the one mile North Corridor, from North and Alabama streets to Indiana Avenue, was completed earlier this year. The contract to construct the Northeast Corridor was awarded to Sunesis Construction Company in 2009 for $6.1 million and paid for by federal transportation grants.

Construction is underway on Capitol Avenue from Washington Street to South Street and on Alabama Street from Market Street to Washington Street. The hardscape features will be completed in boths areas by the end of the year with landscaping installed in spring of 2011. The remaining construction on Virginia Avenue, Washington Street and Blackford Avenue will begin in early 2011. The entire eight-mile Cultural Trail is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

To date, $63 million has been raised to complete the eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian project that connects the five downtown cultural districts and greenway trails. Nearly $21 million of this total has been used to replace old city infrastructure that otherwise would not have been improved. The $63 million total also includes a $6 million maintenance endowment held at CICF to be used for ongoing maintenance needs.

# # # 

Gene and Marilyn Glick, the Trail’s lead benefactors through their initial $15 million gift, donated an additional $2 million to honor 14 individuals, chosen by the Glick family, whose creativity, perseverance and concern for others have improved life for all. They hope that these memorials will inspire visitors to pursue their dreams and make the world a better place.

Ten of the luminary gardens are located on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. This section of Walnut Street also received new brick roadway pavers, lighting and landscaping to transform the street into a pedestrian-friendly destination along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail between the American Legion Mall and the canal. The luminary garden dedicated to Abraham Lincoln will be located at the southwest corner of Washington Street and Capitol Avenue, and the luminary garden dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be located at the southeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania Streets.

The following individuals are honored:

Susan B. Anthony
Andrew Carnegie
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln*
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.*
Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt
Jonas Salk
Mark Twain
Booker T. Washington
Wilbur and Orville Wright

*Constructed in 2011. 

The ceremony to unveil and illuminate the Glick Peace Walk began at dusk with Brian Payne, Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, thanking the Glicks for their tremendous generosity, vision and leadership.

“You have chosen people who have inspired you, yet today, we are also inspired by your generosity and vision that will enlighten generations of Hoosiers and visitors from around the world,” said Payne.

Marianne Glick explained why the Glick Peace Walk has long been her parents’ dream.

“Over 20 years ago, my parents became determined to find a way to honor individuals who embodied the American spirit,” said Glick. “The Peace Walk is the fruition of that vision. These luminaries were selected because they pursued their dreams, upheld their beliefs and made a significant contribution to the quality of life for all.”

Rundell Ernstberger Associates, an award-winning urban design and landscape architecture firm in Indianapolis also known for its work on White River Gardens, Monon Rail-Trail and Indianapolis Art Center’s Artspark, designed the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Glick Peace Walk. Kevin Osburn, lead designer, spoke on behalf of his teammates Eric Ernstberger and Joe Mayes, and introduced the local artists and contractors who made the Glick Peace Walk come to life.


“The Glick Peace Walk became a reality in large part because the Glick family and Central Indiana Community Foundation gave us the freedom to hand-select elite contractors and craftsmen based right here in Indianapolis,” said Osburn.

The artists and contractors include:

Tom Fansler, Smock Fansler Corporation
David Santarossa, Santarossa Mosaic and Tile
Greg Thompson, GRT Glass Design
Jan Martin, Tarpenning Lafollette

The design elements of the luminary gardens enable visitors to gain a deeper understanding of how these inspiring individuals were able to overcome challenges and dedicate their lives to the greater good of society. The terrazzo plazas feature an image from the story of that person’s life, such as a Benjamin Franklin flying a kite. A steel timeline with led lights embedded in the plaza point out key moments that are furthered described in a corresponding interpretive sign nearby. A flat panel of lit glass references the “watershed moment,” when the individual achieved greatness. Each person’s portrait is intricately etched and illuminated in glass encased in a 12-foot stainless steel “sail” that is individually designed and textured around each person. Following their presentations, professional actors Priscilla Lindsay and Rob Johansen led a ceremony to honor each person as each garden was unveiled and illuminated with music from the Ronen Chamber Ensemble. To conclude the ceremony, guests joined the Indianapolis Children's Choir in singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" by candlelight.

Click here for more information about the Glick Peace Walk.

# # #

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick hosted a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the opening of the North Corridor of the trail, a one-mile stretch including portions of Indiana Avenue, St. Clair Street, Walnut Street, the Canal, Meridian Street, the American Legion Mall and North Street. The event also celebrated the opening of the Frank and Katrina Basile Corridor, from Capitol Ave. to the Canal on Walnut Street, which recognizes their $500,000 gift to the project.

Speakers at the event included Mayor Greg Ballard, City of Indianapolis, Brian Payne, President, Central Indiana Community Foundation and founder of the Cultural Trail, philanthropist Frank Basile, Matt Gutwein, President and CEO, Health and Hospital Corporation, Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO and Medical Director, Wishard Health Services, and Christopher Barney, Chairman of the Madame Walker Theatre Board of Directors.

“This opening of the next corridor of the Cultural Trail is another great step toward making Indianapolis one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Creating opportunities for our residents to bike and walk around our City helps to increase the connectivity between our neighborhoods, while this growing network of pedestrian and bicycle paths is a resource that helps our continued economic growth – attracting young professionals and new businesses while creating jobs in the building trades industry here in Indianapolis.”

According to a recent economic development study, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will create more than 11,000 jobs and the economic benefits attributable to the Cultural Trail will exceed $863 million. This is based on a study conducted by the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment and calculates investments from expected increase in downtown residential and commercial ownership, attraction of creative-class talent, and increases in tourism and convention stays.

CICF President Brian Payne originated the idea of the Cultural Trail and has led this project since 2001. He reiterated the importance and power of connecting people to the front door or within a block of the best of downtown Indianapolis.

“There is no other trail project in the world that both connects you directly to a city’s most desirable destinations while also making the journey a beautiful, inspiring experience,” said Payne. “The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has catapulted Indianapolis into the global consciousness as a leader in urban trail design, transportation infrastructure and as one of the most livable communities in the country.”

Well-known throughout the community for their philanthropy, Frank Basile explained why he and Katrina gave $500,000 to the project.

“Katrina and I appreciate being given the opportunity to participate in something as meaningful to our community as the Cultural Trail,” said Basile. “We love to travel and discover new places and have found that the best way to do that is to walk the downtown or other important or historic area of towns we visit. This trail will enable both locals and visitors to walk or bike our entire downtown area while seeing most of the major museums and other icons along the way.”

Health and Hospital Corporation President and CEO Matt Gutwein and Wishard Health Services CEO Dr. Lisa Harris handed out free pedometers to encourage people to walk or bike instead of drive short distances to increase physical fitness and reduce obesity.

“Indiana shines in so many ways, but unfortunately, so far, fitness is not one of them,” said Dr. Harris. “Increasing physical activity is central to addressing this problem, and one of the easiest ways to increase fitness is to incorporate exercise into daily activities -- walking or biking to work, walking to lunch and taking short walks during the work day -- getting there under your own power. Resources like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail encourage these kinds of activities and have enormous potential for a positive impact on Indianapolis residents.”

Earlier this year, the Cultural Trail received $20.5 million from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nearly 1,400 other proposals totaling over $57 billion in requests from around the U.S. were submitted for $1.5 billion in available transportation funding. The Cultural Trail was one of 51 proposals awarded and one of only two trail projects in the country to receive funding.

Even though he was not able to attend due to votes in Washington, Congressman André Carson has been a strong advocate for the Cultural Trail and helped secure the TIGER grant.

“This newest mile of the trail represents another yet milestone our city,” said Congressman Carson. “After years of planning and effort to build community support, the Cultural Trail is on track to be completed before our community hosts the Super Bowl in 2012 thanks to broad partnerships, which span from federal government to our private sector leaders to city officials. This strong support comes down to the fact the Cultural Trail will be an economic driver for Indianapolis--not just in the short-term, but for decades to come.”

The North Corridor also includes the Glick Peace Walk, a two-block corridor honoring 12 great Americans selected by the Glick family to honor people of peace whose creativity, perseverance and concern for others improved life for everyone who came after them. The Glick Peace Walk is made possible through a gift of more than $2 million from Gene and Marilyn Glick that is in addition to their $15 million contribution to the trail. The Glick Peace Walk will be officially dedicated and illuminated on Wednesday, June 30 at 8:45 p.m.

This is the third of seven construction phases, or corridors, of the Cultural Trail. The half-mile East Corridor, on Alabama Street from North Street to Market Street, was completed in June 2008, and construction of the one-mile Northeast Corridor will be complete this fall. The contract to construct the one-mile North Corridor was awarded to Schutt-Lookabill Co. in April 2009 for $7.3 million.

Construction will begin soon on two blocks: Alabama Street from Market Street to Washington Street and Capitol Avenue from Washington Street to Maryland Street. The remaining construction on Virginia Avenue, Washington Street and Blackford Avenue will begin in early 2011. The entire eight-mile Cultural Trail is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

To date, $63 million has been raised to complete the eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian project that connects the five downtown cultural districts and greenway trails.

More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and its construction schedule is available on its Web site www.IndyCulturalTrail.org.

# # #

The following poets and their poems were selected and each will receive a $1,000 honorarium and placement on a bus shelter:

“Invisible Movements” by Karen Kovacik of Indianapolis

“The Painters” by Richard Pflum of Indianapolis

“The Bowl of Possible Peas” by John Sherman of Indianapolis

Sink and the Cultural Trail management team were so impressed with the submissions that they selected a fourth poem, “City Generation” by Elizabeth Weber, to display at “Poet’s Place,” located on Alabama Street near Marsh the Marketplace. “Poet’s Place” is dedicated to Jim Shackelford, a retired civil engineer and planner with the City’s Department of Public Works and early Cultural Trail leader and champion. “Poet’s Place” name comes from Shackelford’s designation as the Cultural Trail’s unofficial poet. He referred to the trail as “the canvas on which the community can contribute its character and creativity.”

The Writers’ Center of Indiana managed the selection process that began with a call for poets who either live in Indiana or have ties to Indiana and who have been previously published. Submitted poems had to have a thematic connection to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the “Moving Forward” public art project.

From 120 applications received from around the state and beyond, approximately 30 semi-finalists were sent to three national judges: Allison Joseph of Carbondale, Illinois, Barry Silesky of Chicago, Illinois, and Ingrid Wendt of Eugene, Oregon. The judges selected 14 poems to be considered for the final three selections, which were ultimately chosen by Donna Sink and the Cultural Trail management team.

The artists are thrilled to have their work appreciated in such a permanent public forum.

"It is very gratifying to have one’s work seen and felt, out in the open world,” said Richard Pflum. “It helps the artist justify, to himself at least, all of the effort he has put himself through during the years. It suggests that perhaps it has all been worth while."

"I'm thrilled to have my poem selected for the Cultural Trail, which has already enlivened the downtown landscape and brought people together,” said Karen Kovacik. “The contest was challenging, yet inspiring. I hope my poem challenges and inspires its readers to become more active in the life of the city."

“I am so pleased that poetry is being included as a permanent feature of the Cultural Trail,” said John Sherman. “Personally, I am flattered and delighted to have one of my favorite poems featured!”

“Indiana is blessed with a remarkable number of talented contemporary writers,” said Barbara Shoup, executive director of the Writers’ Center of Indiana. “I applaud the Cultural Trail team’s decision to recognize their role in Indianapolis’s lively arts scene by making poetry a part of the daily lives of people in Indianapolis. This is great news for everyone who loves the written word."

Each shelter will be comprised of ecoresin panels, which are made using 40 percent post-industrial re-grind content, mounted in a stainless steel frame. The shelters will be installed on TX Active photocatalytic cement pads. These pads will be self-cleaning and will help reduce many pollutants deemed harmful to human health and the environment. In addition to displaying the full poem inside the shelter, Donna Sink will select words or phrases from the poem to embed in the resin that will be reflected onto the ultra-white cement pad.

The shelters will be installed during construction of the Southeast Corridor of the Cultural Trail, from Pennsylvania and Washington streets to Shelby and Prospect streets on Virginia Ave. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be completed in late 2011.

The following individuals, foundations and businesses made new gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more this year:

Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation $250,000
Christel DeHaan Family Foundation $250,000
Anonymous $100,000
Citizens Energy Group $100,000
Indiana Pacers $100,000
W.C. Griffith Foundation $85,000
Rollie and Cheri Dick $50,000
Larry and Lee Glasscock $30,000
Anonymous $25,000
Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. $25,000
United Water Green Infrastructure Grant $20,000
Charles and Peggy Sutphin $10,000
Hulman and Company Foundation $10,000
The Clowes Fund $5,000
Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival (The Longest Dinner) $2,500
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blanton $1,000
Mark Zwoyer and Peggy McDonald $1,000

"We are very grateful to everyone who continues to support this project," said Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, Brian Payne. "It has been a tough year for everyone. This tremendous support in such a difficult year tells us that even in down times, investing in our city's future remains an important priority in this community."

There is still a $12 million gap to complete the Cultural Trail in time for the Super Bowl in February 2012 in Indianapolis.  Make a gift or learn more about how to support the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

# # # 

Sept. 10, 2009 -- The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick announces another public art installation. “Moving Forward,” by Indianapolis-based architect Donna Sink, is a series of three custom-designed eco-friendly bus shelters that will showcase original poetry by published writers. The shelters will be located along the Cultural Trail on the south side of Virginia Avenue near Lexington Street, McCarty Street and Woodlawn Avenue.

Each shelter will be comprised of ecoresin panels, which are made using 40% post-industrial re-grind content, mounted in a stainless steel frame. The shelters will be installed on TX Active photocatalytic cement pads. These pads will be self-cleaning and will help reduce many pollutants deemed harmful to human health and the environment.

A call for poetry begins this week and submissions are due November 22, 2009. Published poets living in or with ties to Indiana are invited to submit work based on subjects such as community, neighborhoods, landmarks, shared spaces, transportation, history and the future. Poets must have published at least one poem in a print magazine or anthology prior to submitting work for “Moving Forward.” Selected poems may have been published previously.

The Writers’ Center of Indiana is administering a selection process with out-of-state jurors. Authors of the three selected poems will each receive a $1,000 award. Selections will be announced in March 2010. Poems will be displayed in their entirety on a stainless steel panel on the shelter. Excerpts of the poem will be embedded in the ecoresin panels.

“Moving Forward” is the sixth public-art installation planned for the eight-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail that will connect each of the downtown cultural districts with a uniquely designed pedestrian and bicycle path.

For more information about the eco-friendly products used in “Moving Forward”: http://www.3-form.com/materials-varia.php or http://www.italcementigroup.com/ENG/Research+and+Innovation/Innovative+Products/TX+Active/

Download the call for poets here  FINAL.Call_for_Poetry-ICT_Poetry_Stops_102009.pdf 137.97 KBor call 317.713.3333 for more information about the Cultural Trail public art program.  

About the architect:  Donna Sink is an Indianapolis-based architect who is interested in innovative and sustainable design solutions. In addition to designing residential and commercial spaces, Sink has extensive experience in exhibition design and is married to the artist Brian McCutcheon. They live in Indianapolis’ Broad Ripple Village Cultural District with their son, Angus. Sink received her Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Arizona and her Masters of Architecture from Cranbook Academy of Art. She has worked at architecture firms throughout the country and in Europe, and is currently a partner at MW Harris Architecture and Design in Indianapolis, IN.

Construction on the Northeast Corridor of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is underway. The Northeast Corridor will run from Alabama and North Streets to the Monon Trail at 10th Street. The contractor is anticipating several traffic restrictions throughout the construction process, which is scheduled to last through 2010. Beginning next week, there are two new restrictions:

On or after April 29th, Massachusetts Avenue/Bellefontaine St. from College Avenue to 10th Street will be restricted to one-way northbound.  This restriction will be in place until late summer of 2010.  During the initial phase of this restriction, left turns to westbound 10th Street will be prohibited.  Motorists will only be able to turn eastbound off of Bellefontaine Street.  10th Street will also have some restrictions during this time period but traffic will be maintained east and westbound.  

Parking will be available on the north side of Massachusetts from College Ave. to Bellefontaine St.

On or after April 29th, the alley between Massachusetts Avenue and College Avenue (behind the Scholars Inn) will be closed to traffic.  This closure will be in effect for approximately three months. 

Other traffic restrictions will be needed in the weeks and months to come. We will keep you updated throughout the construction process.

Download the detailed street map to see the specific Cultural Trail route.  

For other traffic updates, please visit: www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/Road/Closings/Pages/home.aspx or for weekly traffic e-mail updates, visit: www.indy.gov/Newsletters/pages/home.aspx.

For information about other Indianapolis Department of Public Works services, please visit the DPW Web site at: www.indygov.org/dpw.

For information on Indiana Department of Transportation projects, state roads and highway information, please contact INDOT at 232-5533.

INDIANAPOLIS – This morning, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick hosted a construction kick-off event to celebrate the North Corridor of the trail, a one-mile stretch including portions of Indiana Avenue, St. Clair Street, Walnut Street, the Canal, Meridian Street, the American Legion Mall and North Street. The event also celebrated the groundbreaking of the Glick Peace Walk.

The Glick Peace Walk is made possible through a gift of more than $2 million from Gene and Marilyn Glick that is in addition to their $15 million contribution to the trail. “With the Glick Peace Walk, we hope to honor ‘luminaries,’ people of peace whose creativity, perseverance and concern for others improved life for everyone who came after them,” said local developer and philanthropist Gene Glick.

The Glick Peace Walk, once it’s completed in 2010, will include 12 distinctive sculptural gardens that celebrate the lives and accomplishments of 12 “luminaries,” such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. and others (see list below). Each garden will feature a granite terrazzo plaza depicting the individual’s contributions to society and a timeline noting significant events that helped shape the person he or she became. Interpretive signs will tell the story of the person’s life through descriptive text and images. The centerpiece of each garden will be a 12-foot stainless steel and glass “luminary” featuring a lighted glass etching of the individual.

Brian Payne, Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, thanked the Glicks for their tremendous generosity, vision and leadership. “You have chosen people who have inspired you, yet today, we are also inspired by your generosity and vision that will enlighten generations of Hoosiers and visitors from around the world,” said Payne.

Ten of the luminary gardens will be located on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail along a median to be constructed on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. This section of Walnut Street will also receive new brick roadway pavers, lighting and landscaping to transform the street into a pedestrian-friendly destination along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The luminary garden dedicated to Abraham Lincoln will be located on the trail at the southwest corner of Washington and Illinois streets, and the luminary garden dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. will be located on the trail at the southeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania Streets. The construction of the Walnut Street section of the Peace Walk has already started and should be completed by fall 2010.

The luminaries will honor:

• Susan B. Anthony
• Andrew Carnegie
• Thomas Edison
• Albert Einstein
• Benjamin Franklin
• Abraham Lincoln
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt
• Jonas Salk
• Mark Twain
• Booker T. Washington
• The Wright Brothers

Speakers at the groundbreaking event included Marianne Glick, daughter of Gene and Marilyn Glick; Carolin Requiz Smith, director of internal and cultural affairs for the City of Indianapolis; Cultural Trail founder and Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) president Brian Payne; Ransom Place resident and chairman of BOS Community Development Corporation Randy Jones; and Indianapolis Urban League president and CEO Joseph Slash.

To date, nearly $42 million has been raised towards the $55 million budget. Brian Payne announced several new gifts to the Cultural Trail, including:

• $500,000 from Frank and Katrina Basile, which will be acknowledged with the naming of a two-block corridor on Walnut Street from Capitol Avenue to the Canal as “The Frank and Katrina Basile Corridor”,
• $100,000 from Citizens Energy Group, dedicated to the construction of the Southeast Corridor to Fountain Square,
• $100,000 from an anonymous donor,
• $85,000 from W.C. Griffith Foundation, bringing its total Cultural Trail gift to $100,000,
• $25,000 from an anonymous donor,

A portion of property at Indiana Avenue and St. Clair Street donated by The Indianapolis Urban League.

More information about the construction and the Glick Peace Walk is available on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Web site at www.IndyCulturalTrail.org.

The north corridor is the third of seven construction phases, or corridors, of the trail. The half-mile East Corridor, along Alabama Street, was completed in June 2008 and construction of the one-mile Northeast Corridor began in April of this year. Construction recently began on the North Corridor, restricting traffic in the following area:

Walnut Street between Pierson and Illinois streets is closed to traffic and is expected to remain closed through mid August.

The entire eight-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

# # #

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.

Public art projects, significant donations announced

April 14, 2009 – This afternoon, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick hosted a construction kick-off event to celebrate the Northeast Corridor, which travels through the Mass Ave Cultural District. The event celebrates not only the beginning of construction for the corridor, but also the trail’s contributions to making Indianapolis a greener, more sustainable city.

Event speakers included Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, trail founder and Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President Brian Payne, Arts Council of Indianapolis Public Art Director Mindy Taylor Ross, and Best Chocolate in Town founder and Mass Ave business owner Elizabeth Garber.

Once complete, part of the Cultural Trail will be renamed the “Efroymson Family Corridor.” The alley behind Chatham Tap and Scholars Inn Restaurant & Lounge, where the kick-off event was held, will be named “The Efroymson Alley on the Cultural Trail.” Lori Efroymson Aguilera and her husband Sergio Aguilera were in attendance. The Efroymson (E-frum-sin) Fund, a CICF Fund, has given $2 million to the Cultural Trail project.

Today’s announcement came during Green Week, a series of events highlighting the city’s sustainability initiatives and celebrating the public-private partnerships working to make Indianapolis a greener city. “The Cultural Trail is a terrific example of how public-private partnerships can transform the landscape of the city and help make Indianapolis a more connected, sustainable community,” said Mayor Ballard.

Payne announced two significant gifts to the project - $250,000 from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and $100,000 from the Indiana Pacers. Christel DeHaan Family Foundation President Melynne Klaus was on hand for the announcements. Payne said, “I’m happy to announce that public and private support for the Cultural Trail is still going strong. While we still have money to raise to complete this $55 million project, gifts like these move us closer to our goal of connecting our city’s great Cultural Districts and making the trail a reality.”

Ross unveiled three public art projects that will be located on the trail’s Northeast Corridor. They include:

• “Prairie Modules 4 & 5” by M12
• “Chatham Passage” by Sean Derry
• “Care/Don’t Care” by Jamie Pawlus

"After years of reviewing artists’ visions for art along the Cultural Trail, I’m thrilled to unveil these commissioned public art projects,” Ross said. “While all very different, they will capture the attention and imaginations of trail users and challenge them to reflect on our city’s history, heritage and attitudes.”

The public art projects, their location on the trail and the participating artists include:

“Prairie Modules 4 & 5” consists of two architectural sculptures, tall grass, solar panels, black reflective pavers and dynamic LED lighting. This combination of references to our agricultural and urban environment is designed to invite spatial interaction and experiential awareness. Through a partnership with Indianapolis Power & Light, “Prairie Modules 4 & 5” will be the first public art installation in Indianapolis to return solar power to the electrical grid. The project will be located on the north side of North Street between New Jersey and Alabama streets.

About M12

M12 is a collective of artists and designers who view contemporary art as a vehicle for exploring community identity and as a powerful tool for the enhancement of civic life. Operating as a non-profit, the multi-faceted and interdisciplinary firm develops and implements site-based projects, public art commissions, exhibitions and research projects that have socially progressive themes. The name M12 refers to a groundbreaking model of electrical amplifier, which when introduced in 1933, made possible the technological fusion of the numerous existing genres of music and the birth of rock-and-roll.

“Chatham Passage” is a multisensory artwork comprised of a sunken concrete scent vault with an ornate steel grate and LED lighting. Located in the alley adjacent to Metro Bar, the scent vault will release a faint floral aroma recalling a scent historically associated with luxury. Both the luxurious scent and the ornate latticework of the vault cover reference the work of the former Real Silk Hosiery Mill. The vault form also references the historic coal vaults in the area. The ethereal qualities of the vault, grate, light and scent are intended to create an emotional environment that allows trail users to form unique relationships with the Indianapolis cityscape of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

About Sean Derry

Sean Derry is a conceptual artist whose public projects seek to connect a site’s history with its current context and use. Derry earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and his Masters of Fine Art in studio art from The Ohio State University, where he studied with internationally renowned artist Ann Hamilton. Derry completed a successful site-specific public art project in Indianapolis in 2005 as a finalist in the Great Ideas Competition managed by the Arts Council of Indianapolis. His project “Charting Pogue’s Run” received national recognition at the annual conference of the Americans for the Arts when it was selected by the artist Mary Miss and Robert Rindler, artist and president of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, to be featured in the Public Art Year in Review as one of the most innovative and exciting public art projects to happen in the country that year. A former resident of Bloomington, Ind., he now lives in Pittsburgh.

The “Care/Don’t Care” project resembles a pedestrian signal and functions like the typical “Walk/Don’t Walk” signals. In an increasingly fast-paced world, this project quietly invites users to pause and find joy in a moment of comic relief. The message “Don’t Care” will be programmed to change to “Care” automatically and at random intervals; it can also be changed manually if trail users push the button. The “Care/Don’t Care” signal will be placed for use by those continuing along the trail, as opposed to a tradition pedestrian crossing sign that is located near intersections. It will be located on the east end of Massachusetts Avenue, just north of the intersection of St. Clair Street and College Avenue.

About Jamie Pawlus

Jamie Pawlus' work involves the creation of conceptually based site-specific installations. Much of her work repurposes materials commonly found in the public realm, including her frequent use of commercial or transportation signage. The messages found in her art are usually based on anecdotal expressions of personal experiences. Pawlus is a graduate of the Herron School of Art and Design and received her Master’s of Fine Art from the University of Kansas. She is currently a visiting assistant professor at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

This is the second of seven construction phases, or corridors, of the Cultural Trail. The half-mile East Corridor was completed in June 2008. The contract to construct the one-mile Northeast Corridor was awarded to Sunesis Construction Company in October 2008 for $6.1 million. Construction recently began, restricting traffic in the following areas:

• New Jersey Street between Walnut and North streets is one-way northbound. Parking is still available in the east curb lane.
• Walnut Street from New Jersey Street to Park Avenue is one-way eastbound with parking on the south curb lane.

Also, another traffic restriction will begin the end of April:

• Mass Ave between College Avenue and 10th Street will be one-way southbound. Parking will still be available at the meters on the west side of Mass Ave.

# # #

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.

At the event, Mayor Greg Ballard and Cultural Trail officials will announce recent significant gifts to the project, as well as three public art projects on the Northeast Corridor.  

 What:   Northeast Corridor celebration; donations and public art announcements

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Alley on Mass Ave behind Chatham Tap and Scholar's Inn Restaurant

This is the second of seven construction phases or corridors for the Cultural Trail. The first half-mile East Corridor was completed in June 2008. The contract to construct the one-mile Northeast Corridor was awarded to Sunesis Construction Company in October 2008 for $6.1 million. Construction recently began, restricting traffic in the following areas:

--- New Jersey Street between Walnut and North streets is one-way northbound. Parking is still available in the east curb lane. 

--- Walnut Street from New Jersey Street to Park Avenue is one-way eastbound with parking on the south curb lane. 

The contractor is anticipating several traffic restrictions throughout the construction process. Please note two upcoming restrictions:

The first restriction is anticipated April 1. This restriction will be onNew Jersey Street between Walnut Street and North Street.  Currently,New Jersey Street in this area has two-way traffic, one lane northbound and one lane southbound with parking on the east curb lane of New Jersey.  The contractor will make New Jersey Street one-way northbound and there will still be parking available in the east curb lane during this construction.  This restriction will be in place approximately ten weeks. 

The second traffic restriction will be on Walnut Street from New Jersey Street to Park Avenue.  This traffic restriction is scheduled to start April 8 and will last approximately 20 weeks.  Currently, Walnut Street is one lane westbound and one lane eastbound with parking mainly on the south curb lane.  The contractor will make Walnut Street one-way east-bound with parking on the south curb lane.

Again, other traffic restrictions will be needed in the weeks and months to come. We will keep you updated throughout the construction process.

For more information on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the construction sechedule: http://www.indyculturaltrail.org/timeline.  

For other traffic updates:   www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/Road/Closings/Pages/home.aspx. 

To receive weekly traffic e-mail updates: www.indy.gov/Newsletters/pages/home.aspx.

For information about other Indianapolis Department of Public Works services: www.indygov.org/dpw.

For information on Indiana Department of Transportation projects, state roads and highway information, please contact INDOT at 232-5533.  

This is quite an honor. All designers, architects and engineers must follow the lengthy list of AASHTO Design Guidelines for building public works projects. Just imagine how it must feel to have the people who write the guidelines ask to use YOUR project as a case study for all of your colleagues to follow and reference all across the country!

It's not confirmed that the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will make the final print guidelines, but Brad was pretty impressed: "I learned a lot from the work you have done, and I'm excited to see the progress over the next few years!"

Kudos to our fabulous team who continues to knock this project out of the park on so many levels.

(See photo from left: Brad, Kevin and Mark review Cultural Trail plans.)

 "Seeing the Indianapolis Cultural Trail gives us great encouragement on what the City of West Lafayette can do with our current projects," said Chandler Poole, director of development for the City of West Lafayette. "We continue to put bike lanes, landscaped medians, walking trails, street trees and art into our public spaces and to see the implementation taking place in Indianapolis was eye-opening and educational."

Tom Gall, a project manager for the City of West Lafayette said: "It is an amazing coming-together of project initiatives ranging from public art, lighting, wayfinding, landscape architecture, environmental issues, urban pedestrian and biking transportation all design to look like a simple walking and biking trail. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail program is inspiring in its scope and even more amazing in its implementation."

Thanks for visiting, West Lafayette! If you are interested in learning more about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, contact Kären Haley at 317.631.6542 ext 139 or email khaley@IndyCulturalTrail.org.

Friday, October 31, 2008 -- As Julian Opie's "Ann Dancing" returned to her dancing stage on the corner of Mass Ave, Vermont St. and Alabama St. on Friday, October 31, she had a little unexpected competition.

A clear message had been carefully laid out in yellow painted rocks on the Cultural Trail outside Marsh the Marketplace, just north of Vermont St.: "We are going to be okay."

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is not responsible for this Halloween surprise. The artist or commentator remains unknown. 

What did the Cultural Trail team think about it?

"It's brilliant," said Mindy Taylor Ross, director of Public Art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail project. "It's exactly the kind of thing the team has always hoped that the Cultural Trail would inspire: Random, spontaneous and inspired creativity that is respectful of the Trail as a communal space. This is a great example of how the Cultural Trail is inspiring community conversation."

"Ann Dancing" was temporarily removed for repairs. It is the first of several permanent public art projects planned with the Cultural Trail's $2 million budget for new public art.

Below: "Ann Dancing" by Julian Opie reinstalled Friday.  

October 27, 2008 -- The next phase of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick will begin construction in mid-November. The Northeast Corridor will connect the East Corridor on Alabama Street to the Monon Trail terminus on 10th Street. Compared to Alabama Street's half mile, the Northeast Corridor is approxmiately one mile in length and will feature both combined and separated trail paths with the same trail design, benches, bike racks, lighting and signage. Due to the use of federal transportation funding for the Northeast Corridor and the upcoming North Corridor phases, both construction projects are being bid through the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). On Oct. 2, 2008, Sunesis Construction from West Chester, Ohio, submitted the lowest accurate bid to secure the Cultural Trail Northeast Corridor job. It is anticipated that the Northeast Corridor hardscape will be complete by late 2009 with plantings installed in spring 2010. Download a map showing the specific route of the Northeast Corridor from North St. and Alabama St. to the Monon Trail.

Above illustration: The rendering shows how the Cultural Trail's separated bike and pedestrian path will look along Mass Ave east of College Ave. See more before and after renderings.

Photo: Cyclists from across the Midwest wait to begin the most competitive men's, category 1/2/3 race.

Mayor Ballard described the newest planned addition to the Cultural Trail – the Capitol corridor – which will travel along the west side of Capitol Avenue from Washington Street to South Street. Three of the four blocks of the $2.5 million extension will be funded by additional federal transportation dollars secured by the City of the Indianapolis that are being administered through the Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority (ISCBA). Construction of that corridor is expected to begin 2009 and be finished by fall of 2010.

Mayor Ballard said, “As the city begins preparations for the 2012 Super Bowl, it is important that we connect visitors to our new convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium. Now thousands of visitors and sports enthusiasts will be able to take the Cultural Trail to explore everything our Cultural Districts have to offer.”

Payne thanked Mayor Ballard and the ISCBA for their collaborative support.  He also recognized previously announced donors of $500,000 or more. Marianne Glick, daughter of Gene and Marilyn Glick, was on hand to represent her parents and their gift of $15 million. In addition, Payne thanked The Indianapolis Foundation for its $500,000 gift and Myrta Pulliam for her $1 million gift. Both the Foundation and Pulliam are recognized as donors on signage along the Alabama Street corridor. While Pulliam could not attend the ribbon-cutting, Milt Thompson, chair of the Indianapolis Foundation Board, was in attendance.

Lacy announced recent commitments. They include:

• Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation; $1 million; represented by Leonard J. Betley, President & CEO, and Betsy Bikoff, Vice President & Chief Grant Making Officer of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
• Barnes & Thornburg LLP, $100,000, represented by partner Joe Loftus
• BSA LifeStructures, $100,000, represented by Don Altemeyer, executive director

Lacy also announced that so far, the fundraising committee has raised $41.35 million of the estimated $50 million needed to design and construct the Cultural Trail. He said, “So far, we have secured $26 million in charitable donations from very generous individuals, private foundations and businesses. This project simply would not be happening without their support and faith in a big, bold, innovative vision for the city of Indianapolis.” 

Construction will begin later this year on the North and Northeast corridors. The North corridor includes St. Clair Street, part of the Canal between St. Clair and Walnut streets, Walnut Street, Meridian Street, the American Legion Mall and North Street. The Northeast corridor includes North Street, New Jersey Street, Walnut Street, College Avenue and Mass Ave, connecting to the Monon Trail at 10th Street.

In addition to the presentation, a one-block “Fun Run” for children was held, complete with medals for all participants, helping to celebrate National Trails Day, which is today. Attendees also received commemorative T-shirts.

 ###

                
(top) Brian Payne (left) speaks with Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Grants Officer, Betsy Bikoff and Board Chairman, Len Betley, which recently awarded the Cultual Trail $1 million.  (bottom) Lori Efroymson-Aguilera and Sergio Aguilera attended the event. The Efroymson Fund, a CICF Fund, has given $2 million to the Cultural Trail.

Donors help Mayor Ballard and Brian Payne cut the ribbon. From left: Andre Lacy, Joe Loftus, Mayor Ballard, Margot Eccles, Marianne Glick, Lori Efroymson, Katrina Basile, Brian Payne, Frank Basile.

A little rain wasn't stopping these kids from running in the kids' fun run! All participants received well-deserved medals.

Mayor Greg Ballard will make this announcement at the official Cultural Trail East Corridor Ribbon Cutting, Saturday, June 7, 9:00 a.m., from the northeast corner of Market St. and Alabama St.

For more information on the Capitol Ave. extension, contact Kären Haley: 317.631.6542 ext 139 or khaley@IndyCulturalTrail.org.

Immediately following the ceremony there will be a one block kids' fun run and walking tours of Cultural Trail along Alabama St. (five blocks) to North Street with members of the Cultural Trail team.

There will be free parking at nearby street meters or pay $5 all day in the paved lot on the northeast corner of Washington St. and New Jersey St. (Enter off New Jersey St.)

Invite your friends, family and neighbors! Download this invitation and distribute.        CT Ribbon Cutting June 7.pdf 219.83 KB

From there, there's plenty to do and discover in Indy’s Cultural Districts June 7:

10 a.m.

• Divers & Dragons: Celebrating U.S. Olympic Diving Trials, Alabama St. & North St., English Foundation Building parking lot, Free
• Kids Day on the Canal, north end of Canal, Buggs Temple, Free  

11 a.m.

• Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Fest, Military Park. For tickets call (800) 359-2968, visit Marsh Supermarkets, or buy at the gate  
• Scales & Tails Fest – A Celebration of Pets, Indiana State Museum. For tickets call (317) 232-1637 or buy at the museum

7 p.m.

• Outrun the Sun, walk/run, IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium, IUPUI. To register call (317) 253-2121
• The Herron Experience 2008 ~ Art Couture (THE ’08), Eskenazi Hall, IUPUI. For tickets call (317) 278-9473

Nov. 5, 2007

Contact: Erin Pipkin, 317.631.6400, erin.pipkin@borshoff.biz

Cultural Trail paving crews coming to Alabama Street  

INDIANAPOLIS – Crews working on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick will be paving all lanes of Alabama Street between North and Market streets beginning Tuesday, Nov. 6, weather dependent. The paving, which will occur during evening hours to decrease impact to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, will restrict all lanes of Alabama. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes between Nov. 6 and 9 during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.  

Also, while crews pave the lanes on Alabama, through traffic may be affected at various intersections. Those include North Street, Michigan Street, Vermont Street, New York Street, Ohio Street and Market Street.  

The intermediate completion date for items on the Alabama Street corridor, with the exception of the landscaping and duratherm on the crosswalks, is Dec. 31, 2007. The final completion date for the corridor, which includes all plantings and pavement markings, is June 13, 2008.  

The Cultural Trail will be a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that will connect all six Indianapolis cultural districts and bring users to the front door of nearly every arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venue downtown. More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is available at www.indyculturaltrail.org.

Jan. 22, 2008

“Ann Dancing” by internationally renowned artist Julian Opie a legacy of the popular 2007 public art exhibition

INDIANAPOLIS – From now on, there will always be dancing in the streets in Indianapolis. Or at least dancing at the intersection of Mass Ave, Alabama Street and Vermont Street.  

A new animated artwork by internationally renowned artist Julian Opie, titled “Ann Dancing,” now has a permanent home in the Mass Ave Cultural District. The four-sided light emitting display (LED) is installed outside the Old Point Tavern.

“Just one month ago, we illuminated the Indianapolis Cultural Trail’s East Corridor, the Trail’s first segment,” said Brian Payne, president of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, at the dedication ceremony. “Today we’re here to continue a new tradition in our public art exhibition legacy, and I’m happy to say that it’s the first permanent art installation along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail:  A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick.”

Last fall three bronze sculptures from the city’s first public art exhibition, Tom Otterness in Indianapolis, were installed permanently outside the Indiana Convention Center. More than $550,000 was raised from generous private donors to underwrite the costs.

Managed by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Julian Opie:  Signs was the city’s second major public art exhibition. The exhibition featured 11 art installations, including three LED sculptures – one of a man walking, one of a woman walking and one of a woman dancing – throughout downtown and an electrically lit image of musician Bryan Adams in White River State Park.

Mindy Taylor Ross, director of public art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis, explained that the animated artwork “Ann Dancing” is new, but the hardware and concept were used during the year-long Opie exhibition. “‘Sara Dancing’ was located on the northwest corner of Illinois and Maryland across from Palomino,” Ross said. “‘Ann Dancing’ is a new animation – different model, different clothes, different dance – that will be unique to Indianapolis.”

The total cost for the project – the display and new animated artwork along with the permanent base and installation expense – is approximately $150,000.  It is being funded by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission.  The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is mostly funded by private individuals, foundations and corporations. Lilly Endowment provides funding for the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission.

The artist, Julian Opie, explains that he’s always been drawn to the idea of statues. “Just as the 19th century city builders used stone and bronze for their bridges and buildings, I use the fabric of modern cities – signs, aluminum, electronics, LEDs, concrete and glass – to create my people,” he said. 

“I am really happy that ‘Ann Dancing’ will be in Indianapolis and become part of the street fabric. As I sit in my studio in London I think of her endlessly dancing for the passing traffic.”

“Ann” will seldom dance alone. In recent years, pedestrian traffic has increased considerably at the intersection where she is taking up residency. A mix of old and new retail businesses, offices, residential offerings, restaurants and other attractions have made the Mass Ave Cultural District a favored destination. Linking up with the Cultural Trail will only make it more popular.

Patti Perrin, who owns the Old Point Tavern with her husband, Chic, said, “We were delighted when this world-class amenity was sweeping by our door, and now we’re thrilled the plaza will be home to a permanent art installation easily in view for all of our customers and employees.” She and her husband Chic have owned Old Point Tavern for 17 years.

The Arts Council’s Public Art Indianapolis program now is finalizing plans for a third public art exhibition. It will feature nine large sculptures by Chakaia Booker, a New York City-based artist who makes expressive woven sculptures from recycled tires. The exhibition is scheduled to open in July 2008 and run through April 1, 2009.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail:  A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick is a 7.5-mile trail that will be a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path connecting all six Indianapolis cultural districts, entertainment amenities and serve as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.    Public Art Indianapolis is managed by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and funded in part by the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission. It began in 2004 after the development of a public art master plan.

That’s how the article on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is listed in the table of contents of the April issue of Metropolis magazine. The magazine, distributed worldwide and self-characterized as “Architecture<Culture<Art,” is well worth holding. Or check it out online: "Winning Lap: ­Indianapolis hopes to make its cultural mark with a bike-and-pedestrian path that loops through the heart of town." There’s no doubt that the Cultural Trail is putting Indianapolis on the global map in ways never previously achieved.

April 25, 2007

Contact: Justin Ohlemiller, 317.327.3690 johlemil@indygov.org

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON THE INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL

Officials announce groundbreaking, two new donors and renderings of the first public art project

INDIANAPOLIS - Construction signs, barricades and jackhammers now flank the Alabama Street corridor, as construction began today on the 7.5-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick. The Cultural Trail will be a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that will connect all six Indianapolis cultural districts and bring users to the front door of nearly every arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venue downtown.

Breaking ground today for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail was the project team, led by Mayor Bart Peterson and Central Indiana Community Foundation President Brian Payne, as well as the Cultural Trail�s community partners and major donors.

Mayor Peterson said, "Indianapolis continues to grow its reputation as a nationally renowned destination city for arts, culture and thriving quality of life. The Cultural Trail will take this effort to an entirely new level."

"This is a much-anticipated day for our city," Payne added. "After working on this project for six years, it's a dream come true for CICF to turn dirt and make the trail a reality that can be enjoyed by the residents of central Indiana and visitors from around the world."

Construction Schedule
Schutt-Lookabill Co. of Indianapolis was awarded the contract in March to construct the first segment along Alabama Street between North and Market streets. "Hardscape," or the physical components of this corridor, will be complete by November 2007, with landscaping to be added in the spring.

The entire project will be constructed in six corridor stages over three years, and is projected to be complete in late 2009.

Fundraising
In addition to Gene and Marilyn Glick's $15 million donation announced in October 2006, the Cultural Trail is funded through federal and local transportation grants and private funds from many generous individuals and foundations.

New donations announced at today's groundbreaking include a $2 million endowment from the Margot L. and Robert S. Eccles Charitable Fund, a CICF Fund; and a $1 million donation from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Rob Smith, President of the Lilly Foundation, said, "Like many organizations in our community, Eli Lilly and Company is deeply interested in Indianapolis continuing to be a great place to live and work. The Lilly Foundation is pleased to lend financial support to this project, which will advance our city in so many ways."

The estimated cost for the trail is $50 million and to date, $37 million, or two-thirds of the total budget, has been raised. In addition to the $1 million gift from the Lilly Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company has volunteered to build an extension from the Cultural Trail at Virginia Avenue to its main campus. "Eli Lilly and Company believes that the Cultural Trail will be a great asset for Indianapolis," John Lechleiter, president and chief operating officer of Eli Lilly and Company, said. "By investing in a link between our corporate campus and the trail, we will be providing a service to our employees and underscoring our commitment to this important project and our community as a whole."

Public Art
The first artist to be contracted to create a formal public art proposal for the Cultural Trail is Emily W. Kennerk. Kennerk is an Indianapolis native who currently splits her time between her Broad Ripple studio and a studio in Chicago. She earned undergraduate degrees in painting and sculpture from the Herron School of Art & Design in Indianapolis and a Masters of Fine Art from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield, Mich. Kennerk was a recipient of a 2006 Efroymson Contemporary Art Fellowship, has served as an assistant professor for both DePauw University and the Herron School of Art & Design, and is currently an assistant professor of sculpture at Trinity Christian College in Chicago.

Mindy Taylor Ross, Director of Public Art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the coordinator of the Cultural Trail�s public art programming, said, "We kick off the first leg of the Cultural Trail and its public art programming with a proposal from a smart and resourceful artist who hails from our city. Emily's proposed sculpture installation will serve as a new landmark and a monument to the fun and eclectic nature of the growing Mass Ave cultural district."

Kennerk's proposed installation is tentatively titled "Marbles." Exploring what Kennerk believes to be the three most critical elements in creating successful public art -- those of site, scale and surface -- she is proposing to create a monumental marble game comprised of 4-foot and 7.9-foot marbles and one 11.6-foot "shooter" marble. The installation is proposed for the east corridor, with a primary focus on the intersection of Mass Ave, Alabama and Vermont streets. Exact placement and color palate of the marbles has not been determined.

Kennerk is opening a major exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on July 13. Emily Kennerk: Suburban Nation will feature four sculptures made from mass-produced materials such as vinyl siding, decking and other home building products.

The Curatorial Advisory Committee is considering several other artists for installations along the Cultural Trail. Announcements about additional commissioned artists are anticipated in the next few months.

More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is available at www.indyculturaltrail.org.

Nov. 1, 2006

ARTS COUNCIL SEEKING QUALIFICATIONS FROM INDIANA ARTISTS FOR INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL

Hoosier artists encouraged to respond by November 17

INDIANAPOLIS - The Arts Council of Indianapolis, on behalf of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, is requesting qualifications from Indiana artists who are interested in creating an outdoor site-specific public art project. The Arts Council is the leader of the Trail's Public Art Team charged with selecting artists and managing a $2 million budget for public art projects that will be incorporated along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

While this Request for Qualifications is an open call to artists living in Indiana, the final pool of qualified artists will include artists from other parts of the world as determined by the Public Art Team's Curatorial Advisory Committee. The Curatorial Advisory Committee is comprised of local curators of contemporary art, local artists and relevant design professionals. The Public Art Team will work with neighborhood stakeholders to select artists and art projects that reflect the unique characteristics of each of the five downtown Cultural Districts connected by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail while supporting the project leaders' goals of creating a world-class, 21st century icon and an unprecedented model for multi-modal transportation systems in urban areas.

This is the only open call currently planned for the Trail. To reply to the request for qualifications (RFQ), artists must be 18 years of age or older and provide proof of residency in Indiana.

The 7.5-mile trail will expose users to downtown's dynamic arts amenities and the city's rich heritage, providing an inspiring and safe way to travel and exercise throughout Indianapolis and serving as the downtown hub for the central Indiana greenway system.

The five downtown cultural districts connected by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail include Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, The Canal & White River State Park and Wholesale District. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail will also connect with the Monon Trail via Mass Ave at 10th Street, allowing visitors easy access to Broad Ripple Village from downtown.

Construction of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will begin in March 2007, with the corridor along Alabama Street. The project will be built in six corridor stages over three years, and is projected to be complete in 2009.

More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is available at www.IndyCulturalTrail.org.

Oct. 13, 2006

PAVING THE WAY TO A LEANER, GREENER INDY

Public/private partnership unveils plans for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail

INDIANAPOLIS – A public/private partnership of Indianapolis leaders today unveiled the Indianapolis Cultural Trail � a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that will connect all six Indianapolis cultural districts and bring users to the front door of nearly every arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venue downtown.

The unveiling included an announcement of the Trail's primary sponsors and namesake, as well as artists' renderings and maps of the project. Gene and Marilyn Glick are giving $15 million to the Trail, which will be permanently recognized as "A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick."

"Marilyn and I are excited about participating in this momentous undertaking for our city and appreciate the opportunity to use our resources for this worthwhile purpose," said Gene Glick. "I want to compliment Brian and everyone else involved in the planning and implementation of the Cultural Trail."

In addition to the Glicks' generous donation, the Trail is funded through federal and local transportation grants and many other generous individuals and foundations - no local taxpayer dollars are being used on the construction of the Trail. The estimated cost for the trail is $50 million and to date, $34 million, or two-thirds of the total budget, has been raised.

The 7.5-mile trail will serve as the downtown hub for the central Indiana greenway system, not only providing an inspiring and safe way to travel and exercise throughout Indianapolis, but also exposing users to downtown�s dynamic arts amenities and the city's rich heritage.Unveiling the Indianapolis Cultural Trail today was the project team, led by Central Indiana Community Foundation President Brian Payne and Mayor Bart Peterson. The team also includes:

• Keira Amstutz, chief counsel/director of policy, Office of Mayor Bart Peterson, City of Indianapolis
• Lori Miser, administrator, Department of Public Works, City of Indianapolis
• Melody Park, project management, R.W. Armstrong & Associates
• Kevin Osburn, project designer, Rundell Ernstberger Associates
• Mindy Taylor Ross, director of public art, Arts Council of Indianapolis

"The Indianapolis Cultural Trail will completely change the way our nation and the world perceives Indianapolis," said Brian Payne, president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, who first developed the idea and has led the project since it began in 2001. "They will come to Indianapolis to do the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, and discover that Indianapolis has an incredibly dynamic arts, culture, heritage and entertainment scene."

"Indianapolis continues to grow its reputation as a nationally renowned destination city for arts, culture and thriving quality of life, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail takes this effort to an entirely new level," said Mayor Peterson. "The Cultural Trail will be a world-class amenity that is truly unique to our city."

The five downtown cultural districts connected by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail include Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, The Canal & White River State Park and Wholesale District. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail will also connect with the Monon Trail via Mass Ave at 10th Street, allowing visitors easy access to Broad Ripple Village from downtown.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail will boost tourism, quality of place and quality of life in central Indiana. It will increase downtown residential development and inspire new business. It will also position Indianapolis as a dynamic city, which is essential for attracting and retaining talented professionals, which is the key to succeeding in a global economy.

With the growing epidemic of obesity in Indiana, the Trail will also provide a safe and free form of exercise that supports both state and city initiatives, INShape and FitCity.

Construction of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will begin in March 2007, with the corridor along Alabama St. first. The project will be done in six corridor stages over three years, and is projected to be complete in 2009.

More information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is available at www.indyculturaltrail.org.

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English Foundation Building, corner of North and Alabama streets

Be among the first in Indianapolis to see the route and design elements of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail-the 7.5-mile path that will be the downtown hub for Central Indiana's greenway trail system and an icon for the urban development and cultural attractions that have come to define our city.

Information Fair: 10 a.m. - noon

Downtown neighbors and trails enthusiasts should plan to attend this fun family event.

Trail tours: noon - 2 p.m.

The public is invited to tour nearby sections of the Cultural Trail route on bike to learn more about how the trail will connect and enhance the neighborhoods and attractions along its path.

Contact us to RSVP for the bike ride.