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Artisan Development Project

Lt. Governor Announces the Launch of the Indiana Artisan Development Project

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recently announced the launch of the Indiana Artisan Development Project (IADP), which will support and promote Hoosier artisans and handmade products. The project is a joint venture between the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and the Indiana Arts Commission.

“Indiana is home to hundreds of talented artisans and boasts a variety of unique handmade products,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “Governor Daniels and I are committed to supporting Hoosier entrepreneurs and promoting Indiana-made products. This project provides a unique opportunity to enhance the entrepreneurial culture than has been created in Indiana and attract visitors to our state.”

The goals of the Indiana Artisan Development Project include: raising awareness about the availability of hand-crafted and value-added food products made in Indiana; providing artisans, particularly those in rural areas, with access to entrepreneurial support; providing grant funding for artisan business development education and networking; promoting artisan trail development and retail opportunities; and developing branding for Indiana-made goods. Program initiatives are aimed at attracting in- and out-of-state visitors to individual artisan sites and arts-concentrated areas in Indiana.

Artisans Are Being Sought Now for Participation

Artisans are being sought now for participation in the program’s adjudication process.

Participants include any artisan who:

  • Produces a product or creates arts that can be purchased and taken by, or shipped to, the buyer;
  • Creates works/products that contribute to the reputation of the artisan’s business and to the brand development of quality Indiana-made/produced arts and food;
  • Desires their art, craft or product to be part of a set of locally produced goods branded as made in Indiana and carried in retail outlets, as well as sold via the Internet;
  • Would benefit from entrepreneurial support in the form of education, workshops, and on-site assessment; and/or
  • Will participate in locally developed artisan trails promoted to in- and out-of-state travelers interested in place-based arts experiences

ARTWORK will include, but is not limited to fine art, folk art/crafts, multi-arts, photography, craftwork, woodwork, ceramics, pottery, painting/drawing, sculpture, glasswork, jewelry, papercraft, candles, metal/ironwork, tinware, clothing, furniture, basketry, fiber art, leatherwork, toys/games, graphics and printmaking, home and outdoor accessories, quilt/knit/needlework, musical instruments.

VALUE-ADDED FOODS/PRODUCTS will include, but are not limited to jams/jellies, dry mixes, syrups, honey, soaps/lotions, spices, wine, cheese, meats/jerky, milk/ice cream, yogurt, noodles, sauces/salsa, beer, bread, pastries and baked goods, candies/chocolate.

Artisans involved in the program may expect:

  • Access to tailored and relevant entrepreneurial support and technical assistance that will be based on responses to an inventory of artisan needs;  
  • Access to grant funding for business development education and networking opportunities; the endorsement of a statewide brand, and use of the logo in support of their own individual brand;
  • The opportunity to increase their revenue and market growth through:
  • Internet sales opportunities via the program website and online directory; 
  • Trade show(s) targeted to retailers interested in purchasing artisan products wholesale;
  • Retail displays that will promote the Indiana brand and feature artisan products in existing retail outlets around the state; and
  • Participation in artisan trails that will bring the market to the artisan’s studio/place of business for one-on-one direct sales;
  • The opportunity to develop their studio/place of business into a stand-alone attraction through participation in the trails development promoted to in- and out-of-state travelers interested in place-based arts experiences; and
  • Collaborative efforts that promote the brand, the trails and the stories of the artisans themselves.

For More Information

The Indiana Artisan Development Project is housed in the Indiana Arts Commission. Artisans interested in participating in the adjudication process should contact Eric Freeman, Artisan Development Project Manager, at 317-607-8715 or e-mail artisan@iac.in.gov.