All-Star was great..

I don’t know about you, but that five inches of snow really caught us by surprise last weekend—Indy can’t seem to decide what weather it wants to stick with right now (as I write this, it’s 60 degrees and pouring rain 😓). We just hope the snow didn’t keep you from the All-Star excitement this weekend. It was worth getting a little frozen!

Our favorite thing that came out of All-Star: Jeff Williams of Be Nimble was in town! We took advantage of his travel plans to interview him for our February digital cover. That story is live on our website now!

“The Be Nimble Foundation is building the national blueprint for diversity and inclusion in tech with an eye toward generational wealth for people of color. It’s a powerful vision in an economy–and co-founders Kelli Jones and Jeff Williams are making it happen here in Indianapolis.

Jones joined us as a thought leader during the Creative Crossroads: Indiana Creative Economy Summit in October 2023. Williams lives in Dallas, and has been a bit harder for us to catch in person, so we took advantage of his All-Star 2024 travel plans to make this interview happen.

I’ll let Williams take the lead . . .”

Forty years later, we’re still thinking about Indianapolis’ decision to break ground on a $75m football stadium nearly two years before securing an NFL team. It was an expensive and bold investment, but one that clearly paid off. Here’s a thought: could we apply that same level of investment to make Indianapolis a must-be city for the arts?

In our Executive Director Polina Osherov’s LinkedIn creative economy series, The Pollinator, she shares her idea: What about strategically investing in creative entrepreneurs in realms of music, film, media, and visual arts?

But let’s not stop at the idea! Read more about Osherov’s game plan.

P.S. The Hoosier Dome (later renamed to the RCA Dome) was demolished in 2008. People for Urban Progress makes wallets, clutches, and bags from RCA dome materials they gathered before the demolition!

What’s Happening At PATTERN

• There’s a new Senior Graphic Designer in the office! Indy native TJ Nieset studied design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Herron School of Art and Design. He holds a degree in Visual Communication and is joining PATTERN after working as a Marketing Designer at a design agency. His work is retro, expressive, and vibrant with some quirky elements. We’re over the moon to have him here!

• PS…we’re still hiring for four positions.

• We’re continuing our work on Vol. 25! A recent highlight was our photoshoot at the Indianapolis International Airport.

• PATTERN board member and fashion designer Yemisi Sanni is doing some incredible design work over at SCAD. See for yourself!

Interested in advertising space that sees thousands of local supporters? Contact [email protected] for more information!

Learn

• To take your fashion ideas from concept to reality in Indiana Fashion Week’s IMAGINE IFF’s three-day Bootcamp Style program—Do you have great ideas but struggle to bring your designs from imagination to something tangible? Check out this three-day virtual program designed to guide you through those crucial steps.

Make

• Your own shoelaces in Stitchworks’ “Make Your Laces” Weaving Class—All materials are provided and no prerequisites are needed. Learn to weave on a pocket loom and go home with your own handmade personalized shoelaces.

• Something new in one of Garfield Park Art Center’s art classes—From handmade stamps to air-dry clay magnets, there might just be something that interests you.

Apply

• To the Indiana Arts Commission’s Fellowship for Creative Teaching—If you’re an educator interested in using new creative strategies to improve student outcomes, you should read more about this great opportunity. Deadline: Feb. 22

• To the Art Barn School of Art’s 30th Annual Juried Art Exhibition—If you’re a 2D or ceramic artist interested in having your work in an exhibition, you should submit your work. Deadline: Feb. 25

• For a Hopper Prize Artist Grant—If you’re an artist or photographer looking for financial support and increased visibility, you should apply to their $3500 and $1000 grants. Deadline: May 14

• To be featured in the Torchfire Film Festival—If you’re an independent filmmaker interested in having their work shown at the esteemed Aircraft Theatre, you should submit your work. Deadline: Sep. 1

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