Shining A Light

In January 2018, Lilly Endowment, Inc. launched a unique grant funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations. The $25 million initiative, entitled Strengthening Indianapolis Through Arts & Cultural Innovation, was designed to encourage organizations to think big about Indianapolis’ potential. The grantmaking effort immediately evoked excitement from the nonprofit community, generating a creative buzz around the city. The goal? Inspire organizations to develop projects to enhance the quality of life in Indianapolis, bolster the city’s image as a desirable place to live, work and visit and foster a creative, energized and forward-thinking community.

In December 2018, LEI announced $49 million to fund 17 grant projects out of the 226 project submissions. The Endowment awarded Downtown Indy, Inc. and partner, Indiana War Memorials Commission, $7.6 million to execute Shining a Light on Indianapolis: Bringing Arts and Culture Full Circle. The initiative was designed to collaboratively infuse arts and culture into Indianapolis through artistic video mapping, lighting and activation on the city’s premier civic plaza, Monument Circle.

Downtown Indy, Inc. executed a thoughtful marketing/communications strategy to launch Shining A Light in November 2019.