Mission
Monumental Gestures’ mission is to transform public spaces through ambitious art experiences that invite conversation, amplify voices, and celebrate histories.
Values
We seek ambitious projects that imagine better futures.
We move with the desire to understand and center the dynamics of people and place.
We are intentional in our participation and partnerships.
Goals
Advocate for free art experiences in public spaces;
Be accessible to a wide range of audiences;
Endeavor to reflect histories told and untold;
Promote spaces of belonging;
Bring people together.
Key Services and Responsibilities
Project Development and Management
Community Engagement
Fundraising and Resource Acquisition
Marketing and Public Relations
Cultural and Historical Research
Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Maintenance and Conservation
Monumental Gestures Workbook
This workbook emerged from a planning process that took place from September 2023 to February 2024, made possible through a development grant from The Herbert Simon Family Foundation. Many of the sites and projects mentioned have changed since this work was completed. We invite you to peruse with that caveat in mind, understanding that projects in the civic sphere are in constant flux.
Download the Monumental Gestures Workbook (published Spring 2024).
How can the Indianapolis community create new monumental art experiences in the heart of the city?
Initial Projects and Timelines
As a non-profit entity, we work collaboratively with the City of Indianapolis, public and private institutions, and developers to identify potential sites and partners to construct monumental new art experiences, often building upon developments already in the pipeline.
The specific art experiences will emerge from extensive site analysis and rigorous, community-driven processes.
Working closely with partners and stakeholders, our team invites the most innovative artists, designers, and architects—from local to internationally renowned—to create ambitious, thoughtful, and publicly accessible art experiences for all to enjoy for free.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Monumental Gestures is serving as a thought partner for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick during its design update efforts, helping to consider how art can play a more prominent role and enhance visitor experience along the trail.
MG will produce a Public Art Integration Plan to accompany construction documents for ICT design enhancements, including sites and locations of focus for future art experiences, budget ranges for art experiences at each site process, and timelines for implementation.
Learn more about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: indyculturaltrail.org
Visit Indy
Monumental Gestures will run a visioning exercise to generate a framework plan to guide the development of Visit Indy’s concept of creating world-class art experiences as part of its Destination Vision Plan for White River.
MG will host a two-day design workshop in downtown Indianapolis with a selected group of stakeholders. This meeting will explore the ideas behind the Destination Vision Plan work, conduct a field visit along the White River to explore potential sites, and strategize how best to engage the multiple communities and partners that could be connected to future projects.
Before this meeting, research and data will be assembled to inform participants of the significant planning and research already conducted on the White River and define each potential site's design challenges and opportunities. After the meeting, Monumental Gestures will deliver a workbook as the final product of its engagement with this project phase.
Learn more about Visit Indy: visitindy.com