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 |
| 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
February 2025
February 8 - 10 Fold Art Gallery, Greencastle, IN.
March 2025
March 8 - 10 Fold Art Gallery, Greencastle, IN.
April 2025
April 12 - Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library, Bloomfield, IN. Register to attend.
- Eastern Region
Serves Blackford, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne counties
Hosted by Richmond Art Museum
January 2025
January 23 - Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN.
February 2025
February 27 - Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie, IN.
March 2025
March 27 - Arts Place, Portland, IN. Register to attend.
April 2025
April 29 - Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, 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
January 2025
January 25 - New Harmony Contemporary Art Gallery, New Harmony, IN.
February 2025
February 15 - Black Lodge Coffee Roasters, New Harmony, IN.
March 2025
March 29 - Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville, IN. Register to attend.
- Northern & Central Regions coming soon!
Stay tuned for information regarding Northern and Central region Exchange Labs.
