Carmel grants $1.24 million to local arts

• Grants like these are also difference-makers to people like the creators featured in Axios Indianapolis' Meet The Maker series.

Driving the news: Carmel Jazz Festival, the Actors Theatre of Indiana and Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre were among the 23 organizations awarded this year.

• This is the 21st year the city has provided financial support for local arts with more than $17.3 million in grants awarded since the program's inception in 2004.

What they're saying: "Without question, the artistic culture thriving in our city has profoundly enriched the lives of our residents, visitors and business community alike," said Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam.