New collaborative effort aims to rethink public art in Indianapolis

A new creative effort hopes to influence the future of public art in Indianapolis. The Monumental Gestures initiative partners with the city and other public and private organizations to help plan potentially monumental art projects in the city.

The group's managing director Richard McCoy says there’s so much opportunity in the city right now.

“What we want to do is to be a part of a new movement in Indianapolis to create meaningful art experiences in every real estate development that happens downtown and every project that happens, because it's what the cities of the future need,” McCoy said.

Two key partners in the Cultural Trail and Visit Indy will help the group focus on areas of opportunity, including the White River. Projects including the new Elanco headquarters and expansion of the White River State Park could provide the backdrop for any number of installations.

Monumental Gestures Artistic Director Sarah Urist Green said art in public spaces can transform how people work, live and play.

“I know this city is full of so many talented and amazing people, and we not only want them to stay and work and create new things here, but we also want to be able to recruit other people to come help us build those visions,” Green said.

Green said there’s no reason Indianapolis can’t think big.

“Monumental Gestures really originated as an effort to help more ambitious public art happen in the city," Green said. "Help art budgets grow, bringing in talent from far and wide and locally to help make bigger, better, more impactful, more rigorous art happen here."

The group will work alongside partners to identify free, inclusive, accessible art opportunities in key public spaces. 

Led by heritage preservation group Landmark Columbus Foundation, Richard McCoy said they are able to use best practices from their work in Columbus and apply them in Indianapolis. “As a new way to connect and invigorate downtown,” McCoy said.

Green said she hopes the work will allow people to find the gems of Indianapolis and connect with the heritage and history here.

“I want to learn more about our Native American history, the namesake of our city and state. I want to learn more about our manufacturing history along the river. I want to learn more about Greenlawn Cemetery,” Green said.

In the coming months, the group says planning events with partners as well as work with the community will help craft future ideas and plans.

Contact WFYI City Desk Managing Editor Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.