Monument Circle might look a little different the next time you stop by. That’s because Spark Monument Circle will soon be taking over the space until October with creative programming in an effort to placemake.
A look back at 2015’s Spark Monument Circle. | Video by @bigcarpix via Giphy
What is placemaking?
To put it simply — it’s interactive art with an urban planning twist. Through a series of cultural experiences, placemaking is an effort to connect people and place. The ultimate goal is to inform the city about how people use a space and what it should be shaped to become in the future.
What’s a Tuesday without a little Jenga? | Photo via @bigcarpix
What makes Spark Monument Circle special?
If you were around in 2015, you might remember organizations like Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy + the City of Indianapolis putting on free daily programs for the public to enjoy. For 10 weeks, the partners tried out new infrastructure and arts programming ideas in the heart of the city, including:
Themed parades
Live music
Expert-led walks
Food trucks
Interactive historical characters
Weekly yoga
“Ask an Expert” program
Ping pong, chess + board games
By offering more reasons for residents to spend time on the Circle, it also boosts local businesses and supportslocalartists + cultural organizations who contribute to the programming.
How can I participate?
Soon, all you’ll have to do is stroll over to the Circle, where activities like the ones mentioned above will be available to the public.
If you’re an artist, there’s an opportunity to work with Big Car Collaborative on this project. The contract position includes a flexible 15-20 hour weekly schedule and starts as soon as possible through Sun., Oct. 23. Artists will receive a $8,000 stipend with supplies + facilities provided. The deadline to apply is Thurs., June 30. Artists of any genre — including performance, visual, music, and literary arts — are encouraged to apply.
Share this story with your downtown pals, artsy neighbors and anyone else who has big ideas for Monument Circle.
Taproom Trivia | Wed., June 15 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Black Acre Brewing Co., 5632 E. Washington St. | Free | Grab your friends for a night of beer + questions in Irvington. 🍻
Easy Summer Entertaining | Wed., June 15 | 7 p.m. | Sur La Table, 14400 Clay Terrace Blvd., Ste. 100, Carmel | $79 | Learn grilling techniques for an indoor grill pan or an outdoor grill to make summer entertaining a breeze.
Indiana Grown’s Monumental Marketplace | Fri., June 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Monument Circle | Free | Back for its fifth year — the marketplace is full of vendors from all over the state, as well as food trucks. 🛍️
Saturday
Record Store Day Drop 2022 | Sat., June 18 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Square Cat Vinyl, 1054 Virginia Ave. | Cost of purchase | All titles not released on Record Store Day will be available at this event — get there early for free coffee. 🎶
Sunday
Juneteenth Celebration & Ribbon-cutting | Sun., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | Flanner House, 2424 Dr., Martin Luther King Jr. St. | Free | Celebrate the anniversaries of Cleo’s Bodega + Ujamaa Community Bookstore, as well as the opening of a new African-centered mental health wellness house. ✂️
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
After months of talks, Prologis — a California-based real estate investment trust — is buying Duke Realty. The all-stock deal is valued at ~$26 billion and includes the assumption of debt. Shareholders will receive 0.475 of a Prologis share for each Duke share they own. 🏘️ (FOX59)
Indy-based Emmis radio stations WIBC, Hank-FM, The Fan, B105.7 + Network Indiana will be sold to Urban One. The deal will become final when it’s approved by the FCC. Emmis Communications will continue to operate The Indianapolis Monthly + Diginex, which are non-broadcast endeavors. 📻 (WIBC)
Closing
After only a few months of being open,The Beerded Swine is closing on College Ave. The deli with bars on two levels + a wine stationdid not generate enough revenue, according to owner Lisa Abendroth. Her other business in Columbus, IN — The Savory Swine — will continue to operate. (IndyStar)
Active
One of the biggest cycling weekends in the country is returning to Indy on Aug. 27-28. It’s built around two different cycling events — Saturday’s Mass Ave Crit + Sunday’s Indy Crit, which feature proandamateurracers from across the US. Plus, a free ride in honor of Major Taylor will take place on Saturday. Learn more. 🚲
Jobs
On Fri., June 17 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Martin University will host the Second Chance Job and Resource Fair for Hoosiers on parole, probation, or who have a past felony conviction. The event is open to the public and free haircuts will be available from Kenny’s Barbershop. See the list of employers. 💇(WRTV)
Arts
Art Industry Nights are making a comeback — starting on Thurs., June 23. Hosted by the Indy Arts Council, these free events are for artists to reconnect over drinks, hors d’oeuvres + music. Register now. 🎨
Ranked
Coming in at No. 8, the Indianapolis Central Library was included on Fodor’s Travel’s list of “11 Most Beautiful Libraries in the United States.” The article mentioned its Greek Doric style and 2007 modern expansion, as well as its views of the city. See who else made the cut. 📚
Last week, we asked you to submit your best dad joke for a chance to be featured on a t-shirt or mug sold in Six & Main, our online store. Congrats to readers Jeff M., Natalie J., Anne M., and Elizabeth C. for submitting winning dad jokes that will be featured on merch (just in time for Father’s Day). All winners have been contacted, and thanks to everyone who submitted. Shop the dad joke collection.
Eat
If getting organic poultry, grass-fed beef, heritage pork, wild game + more delivered straight from the farm to your dinner plate sounds like your foodie dream, D’Artagnan Foods can make it happen. Their small farms deliver overnight forguaranteed freshness. 🍽️*
A health message from our sponsor:
Number: 100. The individual hairs that the average person sheds in a day. But if you’re losing substantial volume, it could point to hormone imbalances or other underlying conditions. Learn more.*
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On June 25-26, the Eiteljorg Museum will host its 30th annual Indian Market and Festival. There, you’ll be able to shop for pottery, paintings, beadwork + jewelry, as well as check out the newly reopened Native American galleries.
The event will include 140+ native artists and run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Get your tickets + stay tuned for more updates in an upcoming newsletter.
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Editor’s pick: Look for me at the Eiteljorg’s Indian Market and Festival — I’ll be there getting the scoop on the reopened galleriesand hopefully buying lots of art. What am I looking forward to the most? Probably the music + storytelling scheduled to take place.
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