The Work In Progress (WIP) Exchange Labs are a pilot program, designed to provide network and connection for primarily emerging artists across the state. Artists will meet monthly across different areas of the state to share career updates, challenges they are facing, and build community hubs dedicated to creatives.
Indiana artists seek spaces to spark organic relationships and networks within and beyond their respective disciplines. Designed to provide network and connection for primarily emerging artists across the state, Work in Progress Exchange Labs is a pilot program from the IAC launching in 2025.
Artists will meet monthly across different areas of the state to share career updates, challenges they are facing, and build community hubs dedicated to creatives. Artists who participate in these small groups will also be eligible for small support grants on a rolling basis, which can be used to complete a work in progress, purchase new equipment, or repair current equipment.
The feedback from the Indiana Arts Commission Artist Needs Assessment was used to inform the design and planning of proposed services and programs for Indiana artists. Read a full report of the process and findings of the Artist Needs Assessment and the planned program responses.
The WIP Exchange Labs will take place at host sites around Indiana in 2025. See the schedules for each region below.
Northern Region
Counties: Adams, Allen, Carroll, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Wabash, Wells, White, Whitley
Western Region
Counties: Benton, Clay, Fountain, Greene, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren
Central Region
Counties: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clinton, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Tipton
Eastern Region
Counties: Blackford, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne
Southern Region
Counties: Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Dubois, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Washington
For information about the program, please contact Jordan Adams, Artist Services Program Manager, at joadams1@iac.in.gov (317) 508-6115
Artists who participate in Work In Progress Exchange Labs will also be eligible for small support grants of $250-$1000 on a rolling basis, which can be used to complete a work in progress, purchase new equipment, or repair current equipment.
2025/2026 Timelines
Spring Cycle (Grant Period July 1, 2025 - November 4, 2025)
| Application Available | March 19, 2025 |
| Informational Webinar | April 2, 2025 (Register to attend) |
| Deadline to Apply | May 1, 2025 |
| Funding Notification | Week of June 9, 2025 |
| Final Grant Report Due | November 20, 2025 |
Fall/Winter Cycle (Grant Period January 5, 2026 - May 5, 2026)
| Application Available | September 17, 2025 |
| Informational Webinar | October 1, 2025 |
| Deadline to Apply | October 29, 2025 |
| Funding Notification | Week of December 8, 2025 |
| Final Grant Report Due | May 21, 2026 |
- Western Region
Serves Benton, Clay, Fountain, Greene, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren counties
Hosted by Greencastle Arts Council
2025 Convening Schedule
February 8 10 Fold Art Gallery, Greencastle, IN March 8 10 Fold Art Gallery, Greencastle, IN April 12 Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library, Bloomfield, IN May 10 Arts Illiana, Terre Haute, IN. Register to attend. June 14 Terre Haute, IN July 12 Lafayette, IN August 9 The Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN September 13 Williamsport Public Library, Williamsport, IN October 11 Williamsport Public Library, Wiliamsport, IN - Eastern Region
Serves Blackford, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne counties
Hosted by Richmond Art Museum
2025 Convening Schedule
January 23 Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN February 27 Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, IN March 27 Arts Place, Portland, IN April 29 Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN. Register to attend. May 22 Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, IN June 21 Location TBA July 17 Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN August 26 Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, IN October 28 Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN November 20 Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, IN - Southern Region
Serves Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Dubois, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Washington counties
Hosted by The New Harmony Project
2025 Convening Schedule
January 25 New Harmony Contemporary Art Gallery, New Harmony, IN February 15 Black Lodge Coffee Roasters, New Harmony, IN March 29 Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville, IN April 12 Arts Alliance of southern Indiana, New Albany, IN May 10 Arts Alliance of southern Indiana, New Albany, IN. Register to attend. June 21 Arts Alliance of southern Indiana, New Albany, IN July 19 Arts Alliance of southern Indiana, New Albany, IN August 16 Maker13, Jeffersonville, IN September 27 NoCo Arts & Cultural District, Jeffersonville, IN October 18 NoCo Arts & Cultural District, Jeffersonville, IN November 15 NoCo Arts & Cultural District, Jeffersonville, IN - Northern Region
Serves Adams, Allen, Carroll, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, Steuben, St. Joseph, Wabash, Wells, White, Whitley counties
Hosted by Chesterton Arts Center
Stay tuned for more information on the 2025 schedule.
- Central Region
Serves Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clinton, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Tipton counties
Hosted by Griffy's Art Supply
Stay tuned for more information on the 2025 schedule.
