Skip to main content
Language Translation
Governor Mike Braun
  Close Menu

I Am An Artist

Deepen Your Creative Practice

The Indiana Arts Commission is dedicated to providing resources for artists and those who support them. When the arts thrive, the community thrives. Here you can find business and artistic resources and supplies, co-working and makers spaces, training opportunities and more.

The importance of community is emphasized when it comes to unforeseeable, unexpected events. Check out resources for artists, arts organizations, cultural institutions, and general public:

  • For all impacted, please fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms from the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response to be contacted with additional resources and information:
  • Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) - The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster. This program will reopen applications on October 1. Learn more about CERF+ assistance.
  • National Heritage Responders - The National Heritage Responders is a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation of Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
    • Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups affected can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068.
    • Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org
  • Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) - HENTF's Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available here. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets "After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures" and "Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms," available in multiple languages.
  • If and when federal disaster declarations are in place, federal assistance may be available:
    • Artists and other self-employed individuals may be eligible for FEMA assistance to replace tools and equipment lost or damaged; a guidance booklet is here.
    • Nonprofits may be eligible for Public Assistance and other recovery resources; the Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Assistance provides guidance through multiple funding programs for artists and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
  • Artists impacted may be eligible for emergency grants and other support services:
  • Indiana Philanthropy Alliance is maintaining a list of local disaster relief funds and resources as foundations and other trusted organizations respond across the state.
  • Additionally, Governor Braun has a running list of all resources available more broadly to all Hoosiers impacted by the severe weather.

Learn more about current IAC artist programming:

  • Vision & Venture -  Vision & Venture is a six-week virtual training series focused on foundational business processes and compliance knowledge for creatives. Vision & Venture is designed for artists in the early stages of launching their creative business. Ideal applicants will have less than one year of business experience.
  • On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator - The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator is designed for early career creatives who are interested in pursuing a portfolio career. The program program includes a three-day intensive entrepreneurship and community engagement workshop and the chance to apply for up to $2,000 to put the lessons into action.
  • The Creative Leap - The Creative Leap is a six-week virtual series designed for established creative entrepreneurs who have been in business for a minimum of five to seven years looking to inject strategic energy into their existing practice.
  • Work In Progress: Exchange Labs - The Work In Progress: Exchange Labs are a pilot program, designed to provide network and connection for primarily emerging artists across the state. Artists meet monthly across different areas of the state to share career updates and challenges they are facing, and build community hubs dedicated to creatives.

Bankable- Will a loan assist you in helping take your small business to the next level? Check out the types of loans Bankable offers. Bankable is a certified SBA lender that offers microloans to Hoosier small businesses.

U.S. Small Business Administration Resources

Minerva Financial Arts- Tax Tip Webinars

W.A.G.E.- Looking for wage and salary rates by skill or occupation? Check out this skills calculator.

Springboard for the Arts- A Handbook for Artists Working in Community.

Connect the Dots- Lead your community to creativity. But first engage them in the process.

Artists U- Making Your Life As An Artist.

Creating a Living Legacy- Resources and instruction in the areas of career documentation, inventory management, and legacy planning.

Co-working and Makers Spaces

  • Draft Creative Space- Located in Fountain Square, draft is a shared work and gathering space.
  • MatchBOX Coworking Studio- MatchBOX is a place to work for those who don’t have a place to work, nestled in Lafayette.
  • Vision Studio- A premier destination for creativity in Kokomo. This facility includes versatile photo and podcast studios, perfect for capturing your vision.

    • ​

CERF Grant Resources- CERF+ offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.

Artistic Resources and Supplies

Listings are not endorsements and do not necessarily represent the views of the Indiana Arts Commission or State of Indiana.

Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletters!

Looking to connect with other creatives?