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What art do you want to see along the new Cultural Trail extensions? Fill out this survey.

Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star
3 min read

As construction continues on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail extensions, big plans are rolling out for the new public art that will accompany them. First up is asking what the public wants to see as they use the urban pathway.

The Cultural Trail has partnered with St. Paul, Minnesota-based Forecast Public Art to launch a survey asking where people think new art should be installed, the message it should send, what they love about the trail, how often they use it and why, and their favorite artworks.

The survey is open until April 30 at indyculturaltrail.org/art, in person at the trail's office at 132 W. Walnut St. and via QR code access points along the trail.

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"There is absolutely no art expertise that you have to have to answer the questions," said Riley Hill-Kartel, the Cultural Trail's director of advancement. "It truly just kind of is wanting to get at the heart of Indianapolis residents and what they're looking for when they experience art along the Cultural Trail and what their vision or what their goals or their hope or their dreams are about that."

The first Indianapolis Cultural Trail extensions to open will be along Indiana Avenue, 10th Street and South Street. The extension over the White River is still in the design phase.
The first Indianapolis Cultural Trail extensions to open will be along Indiana Avenue, 10th Street and South Street. The extension over the White River is still in the design phase.

A committee that included representatives from the city, Indy Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, Indy Chamber and other groups chose Forecast. The nonprofit, which was announced as a partner last year, works with arts and culture planners on projects and advocates for artists who have been traditionally under-represented.

Along with the survey, trail organizers will glean feedback from focus groups and at popup events along the trail. Hill-Kartel said they'd like to know if people prefer art that's permanent, semi-permanent, by local artists and/or by big-name artists.

"People think of sculptures and that kind of thing, but I also think it could involve performances or something that happens in an ongoing way that changes frequently," she said.

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With the information, Forecast will produce a report with recommendations and an action plan to represent the community's voice and suggest best operating policies and staffing. After the report is complete, the non-profit Cultural Trail will hire staff to oversee the art program.

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Community engagement will continue after the action plan is finalized, too, Hill-Kartel said. For example, trail organizers will engage neighborhoods close to the locations of future pieces.

The Cultural Trail has set aside $500,000 apiece for art along the South Street and Indiana Avenue/10th Street segments, Hill-Kartel said. The cost is part of the $30 million dedicated to those two miles of extensions, though the nonprofit continues to fundraise, she said. The Indiana Avenue/10th Street segment is expected to open this summer and South Street shortly after.

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A portion of the $21.2 million for the one-mile White River extension, which is still in the design phase, will also be set aside for art, though that amount hasn't yet been finalized, Hill-Kartel said.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tell the Cultural Trail what art you want to see along new extensions

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