Turn the page with us on Indie Bookstore Day! 📖

This year has been flying by. Since our last chat, you probably filed your taxes but—more importantly—probably caught the total solar eclipse! Did you know taking time to appreciate new experiences like that is essential for your mental health and actually makes time feel like it’s passing slower?

Anyway, if you’re missing the abrupt departure of eclipse marketing, another “novel” (yeah, it’s a pun) experience you can create for yourself is visiting independent bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day this April 27th. We’ve got your shop stops covered below, but if you don’t know what book to buy, this New York Times article might be exactly what you need.

Today, our hero is Douglas S. Noonan, Ph.D. from Indiana University Indianapolis, who published a 2024 study titled “Arts and Creativity Drive Economies and Build Resilience.” In his study, Noonan found that arts sector growth positively impacts overall economic growth in the United States. He also found that creative economies have a remarkable ability to provide opportunities after economic downturns (including COVID-19). 

Additionally, Noonan pointed out that the arts and creative industries comprise 4.4% of the United States’ GDP, more than construction, agriculture, transportation, and mining. With such strong evidence that the creative economy helps the overall economy thrive, how can we invest more in our creative industries and arts?

April 27 is National Independent Bookstore Day, and we want to make sure you’re prepared to take advantage of it. Check out these offerings and independent bookstores around Indianapolis—I know we’ll be doing the same!

But these certainly aren’t all the independent bookstores in the area. Go bookstore hopping and check out places like Tomorrow Bookstore, Dream Palace Books and Coffee, Indy Reads Books, Golden Hour Books, Beyond Barcodes Bookstore, and Ujamaa Community Bookstore. We know you’ll find your next good read at one of these fantastic bookstores!

What’s Happening At PATTERN

Congratulations to PATTERN board member & Green Loop Marketing CEO Melanie Allen for being named one of IBJ’s 2024 40 Under 40! Read more about one of our favorite humans here.

In other news, staff writer and editor Jenny Walton joined Arianna Cruz for MORE Magazine’s weekly podcast along with Reza Cristián from SUSTAIN THE MAG. You can listen here.

We're also in the final weeks of our print project with IU Innovates. Their entrepreneurial storytelling book utilizes our design, photography, and writing to showcase a range of incredible innovators in the student body and faculty of IU. (Have print or digital storytelling needs? We want to help! Email [email protected])

A few snags have delayed PATTERN Vol. 25, but you better believe it’s coming. Nothing but net . . . or actually, no net but definitely a lot of basketball. Keep an eye out for more soon.

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

Contribute

• By filling out Griffy’s Art Supply Store’s community survey—The purpose of this survey is to determine what artists and the arts community want out of Griffy’s new location.

• By sharing your thoughts on brandingindy.com—PATTERN is collaborating with Indy Chamber and dozens of local partners to build compelling brand messaging for the Indy region, and we need your help.

Explore

• Your filmmaking abilities with the Digital Assistant Camera Training for Features, Television & Commercials class from Roberts Camera—This comprehensive two-day course takes place on May 10 & 11 and costs $199. The class will cover roles of first and second assistant camera people on a production, phases of film & TV production, data management, and more.

• An opportunity for free legal assistance—Pro Bono Indiana has a Lawyers for the Arts program which provides free legal services to artists and small arts organizations. Call 812-402-6303 Tuesday or Thursday 9-11 a.m. CT to obtain assistance. This service is provided with support from the Indiana Bar Foundation. (Via Indiana Arts Commission - sign up for their newsletter here)

Apply

• To the Harpo Foundation’s Grants for Visual Artists—These grants support artists 21 years and older who are underrecognized. Deadline: April 29

• To have your short script featured in Fonseca Theatre Company’s third annual Boo-La-La: An Indianapolis Spook-tacular—All Midwest playwrights are encouraged to submit their spookiest stories from a diverse range of cultures. Featured writers will receive a $250 royalty. Deadline: May 31

• To have your short script or song featured in The Phoenix Theatre’s holiday show A Very Phoenix Xmas 16: (Insert Witty Title Here)—The theme is Holiday Movies, and featured writers will receive a $400 stipend. Deadline: June 1

• To Torchfire Film Festival—Independent filmmakers worldwide are welcome to submit feature-length and short films. Indiana winners will be shown at the Historic Artcraft Theatre on October 17, and all winners will receive cash prizes. Deadline: August 1

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