Nov 21, 2024 - News

Art & Soul expands with Madam Walker Legacy Center partnership

Justin L. Mack

2020 Art & Soul Featured Artist, Okara Imani, performs at the Cabaret. — 2020 Art & Soul featured artist Okara Imani performs at the Cabaret. Photo: Courtesy of Indy Arts Council/Jennifer Wilson

A program that has spent nearly 30 years celebrating Indy's Black artists is partnering with a historic theater dedicated to one of the city's most influential makers.

Why it matters: This week's announcement that Madam Walker Legacy Center is partnering with Indy Arts Council to expand the 2025 Art & Soul program means next year's featured artists will be on a bigger stage.

The inspo: Established in 1996, Art & Soul is the Indy Arts Council's largest public program and serves as a local celebration of Black arts, music and culture.

Four artists are featured each year. The 2025 artists and full event schedule will be announced in January.
A new addition to the lineup in 2025 is the Art & Soul Featured Artist Showcase at the Madam Walker Legacy Center on April 11.

Flashback: Visual artist Boxx The Artist, musician Dexter Clardy, dancer Austin Day and spoken word artist jus Will were 2024's featured artists.

What they're saying: "This partnership embodies our shared commitment to celebrating and uplifting the vibrant arts community in Indianapolis," Madam Walker Legacy Center president Kristian Little Stricklen said in a statement. "Together, I have no doubt we will create transformative experiences and inspire future generations of artists and cultural leaders."

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Art & Soul expands with Madam Walker Legacy Center partnership

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