Why We Are...

Spirit & Place is a national model for engaging arts, humanities, and religion in collaborative action to promote civic engagement, respect for diversity, thoughtful reflection, public imagination, and enduring change in the communities where we live. It honors the places we call home and uses the traditions and creative capacities of individuals and organizations to help all citizens develop richer lives in community with each other.

Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for civic engagement and enduring change through creative collaborations among the arts, humanities, and religion.

What We Do...

Spirit & Place connects inspiring ideas, places, organizations, and people through a wide-range of high-quality public programs, which occur principally during a 17-day communitywide festival. Founded in 1996, this annual November festival opens with a Public Conversation between three noted individuals from the arts, humanities, and religion. These nationally known figures examine the annual theme through a spontaneous, moderated conversation before an audience of approximately 1200.

In the days that follow, thousands of Central Indiana citizens explore the theme through programs created and presented by dozens of community organizations. The festival’s adjudicated programs include workshops, lectures, exhibits, plays, panel discussions, concerts, intergenerational gatherings, worship services, and more. On average, 75% of programs are offered free of charge and more than 80% offer opportunities for active inquiry and participation.

Through its process (collaboration), delivery system (arts, civic/humanities, and religious organizations) and product (public programs), Spirit & Place celebrates and connects diverse communities together in new ways and helps to stimulate an engaged and educated citizenry.

What We Believe...

• We believe that the arts, humanities, and religion awaken the spirit and exalt the sacred, sustain our intellectual and cultural inheritance, inspire imagination and creativity,and shape our communities.
• We believe that understanding and sharing each community’s interlinked narrative (historical, cultural, environmental, economic, and spiritual) creates a sense of place that binds and builds both our personal and collective lives.
• We believe that a healthy community respects and values the traditions, convictions, and contributions of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
• We believe that working together enhances creativity,strengthens capacity, creates new opportunities for discovery, and multiplies community impact.
• We believe that building bridges and fostering collaboration between diverse disciplines, traditions, ideas, and cultures requires thoughtful intention.
• We believe in the power of imagination, and trust the ability of our communities to develop creative solutions to the challenges that face us.
• We believe in doing our best at all times, and we seek continuous improvement.
  We believe that ideas, programs, and resources should be available and accessible to all community members.
• We believe in the efficient and effective use of our resources, and we are accountable for our actions.

Who Benefits...

• 25,000 community participants
• 150 arts and cultural organizations, congregations, historical organizations, professional associations, educational institutions, social service organizations, and civic institutions

Advisory Board

Jane Henegar, Chair
State Coordinator, Project Citizen, Indiana Bar Foundation

Rev. Kevin Armstrong, Vice Chair
Senior Pastor, North United Methodist Church

Judith Cebula, Secretary
Director, Center for Faith & Vocation, Butler University

The Honorable Sarah Evans Barker
Judge, United States District Court

David J. Bodenhamer
Executive Director, The Polis Center, IUPUI

Janet Boston
Director of Marketing and Communications, Arts Council of Indianapolis

Simon Crookall
President and CEO, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Cathleen Donnelly
Senior Exhibit Developer, The Children's Museum

Margot L. Eccles 
Vice President, LDI, Ltd.  

Gloria Gaither
Gaither Family Resources and Gaither Music Company

Dr. Lewis Galloway
Senior Pastor, Second Presbyterian Church

Darrin D. Gray
Principal, Brandirect, Inc.

Colleen Heeter
Director of Fund Development, Indiana Black Expo, Inc.

Walter Knabe
CEO, Walter Knabe Studios

David Kosene
President, Kosene and Kosene Development and Management Company

Rev. Felipe N. Martínez
Associate Executive Presbyter, Whitewater Valley Presbytery

Rev. Kent Millard
Senior Pastor, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Gail Plater
Assistant Dean, Development & External Affairs, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Joyce Sommers
President & Executive Director, Indianapolis Art Center

Lynn Youngblood
Provost Emeritus, University of Indianapolis