Indianapolis Cultural Features

Indianapolis prides itself on its rich cultural heritage. Several initiatives have been made by the Indianapolis government in recent years to increase Indianapolis' appeal as a destination for arts and culture.

Monument Circle

At the center of Indianapolis is Monument Circle, a traffic circle at the intersection of Meridian and Market Streets, featuring the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. (Monument Circle is depicted on the city’s flag, and is generally considered the city’s symbol.). Monument Circle is in the shadow of Indiana's tallest skyscraper, the Chase Tower. Up until the early 1960's, Indianapolis zoning laws stated that no building could be taller than the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

War Memorial Plaza

A five-block plaza at the intersection of Meridian and Vermont surrounding a large memorial dedicated to Hoosiers who have fought in American wars. It was originally constructed to honor the Indiana soldiers who died in World War I, but construction was halted due to lack of funding during the Great Depression, and it was finished in 1951. The purpose of the memorial was altered to encompass all American wars in which Hoosiers fought.

The monument is modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and is 210 feet (64 m) tall, making it taller than the original Mausoleum, according to historical accounts (it was demolished to build a fort during the Crusades). Blue lights on the side of the building between the columns make it easy to spot. The national headquarters of the American Legion is immediately north of the Memorial.

Indiana State House

The Indiana State House is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana. Housing the Indiana General Assembly, the Governor of Indiana, the state courts and other state officials, it is located in the state capital of Indianapolis at 200 West Washington Street. The design of Indianapolis architect Edwin May was selected in 1878, with a cornerstone laid on September 28, 1880. Construction was completed in October, 1888, supervised by architect Adolph Scherrer, May's chief draftsman, following's May's death in February 1880.

Cultural Districts

Indianapolis has designated several Cultural Districts. They are Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, The Wholesale District, Canal and White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue. These areas have held historic importance to the city and several have experienced substantial urban decay. In recent years they have been revitalized and are becoming major centers for tourism, commerce and residential living.

Broad Ripple Village

Originally an independent municipality, Broad Ripple was annexed by Indianapolis in 1922. It currently hosts an active social scene, fueled by proximity to Butler University and by a large number of private art galleries, bars, and independently owned restaurants.

Broad Ripple continues to maintain a unique atmosphere with historical importance and cultural value. Many annual festivals are held in Broad Ripple, including the Broad Ripple Art Fair, Midwest Music Summit, the Broad Ripple Music Fest, and the Taste of Broad Ripple. It is home for the Indianapolis Art Center [1], which houses art exhibits and offers art classes, from drawing and painting to printmaking and glass blowing. On May 13, 2004, publication began of the Broad Ripple Gazette, locally-run and privately-owned newspaper that chronicles current events as well as history of the village.

Broad Ripple is also home to approximately 30 bars and nightclubs and thus serves as one of Indianapolis' top neighborhoods for nightlife. It is also home to many unique ethnic eateries such as Indian, Greek, and Thai restaurants. It is even home to two brew pubs, one English, one Belgian.

The Monon Trail runs through Broad Ripple, which is also a connecting point to the Central Canal Towpath which goes by Butler University.

Broad Ripple Park was opened in 1922. Its predecessor, the grand White City Amusement Park, opened on its grounds in 1906, was in business for many years despite a disastrous fire in 1908. It included a small rollercoaster, midway games, a famous Merry-Go-Round (now housed at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis) and, for a time, the second largest swimming pool in the nation. The pool twice hosted the US Olympic trials in 1924 and 1952. Today, Indy Parks and Recreation runs the city park, offering multiple classes, family activities, outdoor swimming and a dog park.

Broad Ripple High School, established in 1886, is part of the Indianapolis Public Schools system and has graduated notable figures like David Letterman, Rosevelt Colvin, and former Indianapolis mayor Stephen Goldsmith.

Massachusetts Avenue

Massachusetts Avenue offers some of the city's most visible theaters and art galleries. Located just a few blocks northeast of Monument Circle (appx 1 mile north east), Massachusetts Avenue was designed in 1821 as one of Downtown's four original diagonal streets.

Gentrification in the 1990s propelled the area from squalor to one of the city's more fashionable addresses. Currently, redevelopment of "Mass Ave" focuses on fostering locally-owned shops, theaters, and restaurants. The once destined-for-demolition Athenaeum building now houses the American Cabaret Theatre and the Rathskeller Restaurant with its popular Biergarten.

Fountain Square

Fountain Square is a neighborhood on the southeast side of the city located approximately 1½ miles (2.4 km) from downtown and centered at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Shelby Street. A center of commerce for more than 100 years, the historic community is undergoing a period of rebirth and restoration, and is emerging as an ethnic and arts center in the city.

Wholesale District

Around the turn of the century Indianapolis had one of the largest networks of railroads in the nation and hundreds of trains passed through Union Station daily, the streets local to the station were lined with businesses, hotels, warehouses, retail shops and more. Wholesale grocers sold fresh goods daily before the advent of the modern grocery store. Unfortunately, the Great Depression devastated the area and few businesses remained.

Since 1995, more than $686 million has been invested in the area, transforming it into the city's premier arts and entertainment district. Recent additions include more than 35 new businesses, Circle Centre, Conseco Fieldhouse, and a number of upscale restaurants. The area also includes the Hilbert Circle Theatre, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, which in 2003 underwent a 2.5 million dollar renovation.

Canal and White River State Park

The long defunct Central Canal located in Indianapolis was refurbished and re-opened as a city recreational area. This new incarnation was inspired by Venetian canals. Gradually, cultural attractions were built along the Canal in the 1990s. The north end of the Canal is now home to a burgeoning commercial life science initiative, anchored by a state-certified technology park.

Indiana Avenue

Since 1870, Indiana Avenue has been the epicenter of black culture within the city. As the population escalated, African-American residents remained and opened more and more businesses. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African-American congregation in Indianapolis, was organized in 1836. The first African-American businesses appeared on the 500 Block of Indiana Avenue as early as 1865: Samuel G. Smother's grocery store; William Franklin's peddler shop and the city's first African-American-owned newspaper, The Indianapolis Leader in 1879.

Festivals

Beginning in 1999 the city became host to the annual Indy Jazz Festival. The festival is a three day event held in Military Park near the canal. Past stars have included B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Kool and the Gang, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Dave Brubeck, Emmylou Harris, Chris Isaak, Jonny Lang, Norah Jones and regional and local favorites such as Jennie DeVoe, Cathy Morris and Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.

Every May Indianapolis holds the 500 Festival, a month of events culminating in the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade the day before the running of the Indianapolis 500. The Festival was begun in 1957 and the first Queen of the Festival was Ann Lawrie who was named in 1959.

The Circle City Classic is one of America’s top historically African-American college football tournaments. The football game is the showcase event of an entire weekend. The weekend is a celebration of cultural excellence and educational achievement while showcasing the spirit, energy and tradition of America’s historically black colleges and universities.

In 2003, Indianapolis began hosting Gen Con, the largest role-playing game convention in the nation (record attendance thus far being numbered in excess of 30,000), at the Indiana Convention Center. Future expansion of the convention space is expected by many to further increase attendance numbers in coming years. The convention center has also recently played host to such events as Star Wars Celebration II and III, which brought in Star Wars fans from around the world, including George Lucas. From October 25 to 28 2006, the convention center was home to the 79th national FFA convention, bringing around 50,000 visitors in from around the country. It will also host it every year up to 2012.[6]

Indianapolis is also home to the Indiana State Fair, as well as the Heartland Film Festival, The Indianapolis International Film Festival, the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, the Indianapolis Alternative Media Festival, and the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival.

The Indy International Wine Competition which is the largest U.S. wine competition outside of California is held in Indianapolis every July at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The city has a vibrant arts community that includes many fairs celebrating a wide varity of arts and crafts during the summer months. They include the Broad Ripple Art Fair,Talbot Street Art Fair, and the Penrod Art Fair.

Ethnic and Cultural Heritage Festivals

Perhaps the largest of Indianapolis' ethnic and cultural heritage festivals is the Summer Celebration held by Indiana Black Expo. This ten-day national event highlights the contributions of African Americans to US society and culture and provides educational, entertainment, and networking opportunities from around the country.

Indy's International Festival is held annually in November at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Local ethnic groups, vendors and performers are featured alongside national and international performers.

St. Joan of Arc church and school holds a French Market every September with raffles, food, live music, and free admission.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts the Indy Greek Festival the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day in September.
The Indy Irish Festival is an annual event in the middle of every September.
The Italian Street Festival is held annually in early June at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
The Fiesta Indianapolis is held annually in September by La Plaza at the American Legion Mall and Veterans Memorial Park
The German Fest is an annual event held in October at the Rathskeller in the Athenaeum Building
The Middle Eastern Festival of Indianapolis takes place annually in late September at St. George Orthodox Christian Church.
The St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church of Indianapolis hosts many different events each year.

Sports

Indianapolis is the home of the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association, the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. In addition, the headquarters of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the main governing body for U.S. collegiate sports, is in Indianapolis, as is the National Federation of State High School Associations. Starting with the 2006 event, the NCAA will hold the Final Four (the semifinals and final of the men's basketball tournament) in Indianapolis every five years. The city has been referred to as "The Amateur Sports Capital of the World".

Indianapolis has an extensive municipal park system with nearly 200 parks occupying over 10,000 acres (40 km²). The flagship Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the nation. Additionally, Indianapolis has an urban forestry program that has garnered several Tree City USA awards from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Indianapolis hosted the 1987 Pan American Games.

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