Power Plant Grants, an annual program operated by the Big Car Collaborative staff, plays a crucial role in supporting visual artists in Indianapolis. Through project grants, it provides vital funds to help these artists bring their creative visions to life. (Image provided/Big Car Collaborative)

Investing in Innovation

Power Plant Grants has just made a significant investment of $60,000 in Indianapolis' innovative art scene. This program, funded by the Regional Regranting Program at the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, awards six local artists with $10,000 each. These grants enable artists to pursue their new creative and often risk-taking visual art projects.As Khadija Nia Adell, the Regional Regranting Program Officer at the Andy Warhol Foundation, stated, "Power Plant Grants bolster creativity in the Indianapolis region by providing vital support that allows artists to envision their ideas, create forward-thinking projects, and establish meaningful dialogue with their communities." This round of grantees is set to bring an exciting group of public-facing projects, and the foundation is grateful for Big Car Collaborative's ongoing dedication to the artists of Indianapolis.

Launching During the Pandemic

Big Car Collaborative first launched the program in 2020 to distribute emergency grants during the height of the pandemic. Since then, the organization has continued to award local artists with $60,000 in grants each year, including in 2021, 2022, 2023, and this year. Shauta Marsh, the lead at Power Plant Grants, emphasized, "Indianapolis artists are brilliant. It's exciting to read these proposals each year and see six of them move from an idea into reality. We so appreciate the Andy Warhol Foundation seeing the potential and investing in our artists."

Highlighting This Year's Winners

This year's winners include Dailyn Eades' "Hopawaaka: A Vision Quest of Contemporary Indigenous Art," which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous community. Gina Lee Robbins' "On the Count" explores new artistic expressions. Miracle Hall's "Ecology UNKEMPT" focuses on environmental themes, raising awareness about ecological issues. Quinn Tailor's "Stitching Together Queer Generations" celebrates the diversity of the queer community through art. Tanía Wineglass's "Curiouser and Curiouser" takes viewers on a journey of curiosity and exploration. And Michael Runge's "Healing Bridge" aims to bring healing and connection through art.These projects will be completed by the awarded winners throughout the next year. Applications for the second round of the 2024-2025 Power Plant Grants open in May 2025. Big Car Collaborative is one of 36 organizations across the country that support local artists through funding from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program.For more information, visit owerplantgrant.org, bigcar.org and warholfoundation.org. Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.