About Art & Soul
One of the most visible and exciting programs in the Artsgarden is Art & Soul, an annual celebration of African-American art and artists in Indiana featuring a diverse lineup of music, poetry, storytelling, dance, and visual art. This signature program of the Arts Council of Indianapolis showcases some of the state’s most creative African-American artists during Black History Month in February. All of the Art & Soul performances are free and open to the public.
Since its inception in 1996, Art & Soul has become a highly anticipated annual tradition for the thousands who attend the festival during Black History Month, expanding their awareness and appreciation of African-American art. Unlike any other festival in central Indiana, Art & Soul celebrates the traditional and contemporary rhythms, movements, textures, and colors that distinguish African-American art and artists in Indiana.
Program Scope
In February 2010, the Arts Council will commemorate Indiana's African-American art and artists with free performances and exhibitions during the annual celebration. To give audiences a comprehensive experience, the Arts Council will showcase a variety of art forms.
The goals of Art & Soul for 2010 are:
- To emphasize the significant contributions made by African-American artists and arts organizations to central Indiana;
- To provide African-American artists with visibility opportunities reaching a large audience base;
- To promote cultural discovery and learning;
- To introduce central Indiana to new or lesser-known art forms;
- To increase the visibility of African-American art;
- To promote the Artsgarden as an accessible and dynamic venue for multi-cultural programs.
Art & Soul 2010, the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ 14th annual celebration of African-American art and artists in Indiana, features a variety of free performances in the Indianapolis Artsgarden during the month of February as well as throughout the year, four new featured artists and a kick-off festival for families on January 30. Along with performances by Gregg Bacon, Brenda Williams, Asante Children’s Theatre and others during February, Art & Soul will also showcase four talented featured artists. The four artists include soul singer Bashiri Asad, opera singer Shederick Whipple, mixed media visual artist LaShawnda Crowe Storm and poetry and music collaboration of the performing group F!ghting Words an’NEM. Each will perform in the Artsgarden in February and throughout the year at various locations.
A communitywide kick-off festival is scheduled for January 30, 2010, from 1 – 4 p.m. in the Artsgarden. The free family-friendly event will feature performances from James Andrews and New Seasons, Bashiri Asad, Shederick Whipple, F!ghting Words an’NEM and the Phi Beta Sigma Step Team (Indiana Revolution), as well as booths from Radio One, IndyGo, Young Audiences of Indiana, Public Allies and other local artists. Music will be provided by DJ Limelight. Arts Council representatives, as well as Radio One’s Amos Brown, will launch the event with a brief program at 1:30 p.m.
Through a new partnership with IndyGo, the Arts Council is encouraging residents of Indianapolis to consider IndyGo’s green public transportation when attending performances at the Artsgarden. A link to IndyGo’s new on-line Trip Planner program can be found on www.indyarts.org/artsoul.
