ArtsEverywhere Grants Dashboard
9/1/2025 — 9/30/2026
Grantee: WNIT Channel 34
Project: PBS Michiana – WNIT Equipment for Local Productions
Amount: $150,000.00
Date Approved: 06/18/2024
Final Report Submitted: 3/10/2026
A Major Venture ArtsEverywhere Grant was awarded to PBS Michiana – WNIT to upgrade the technology needed to produce local television programs. This report represents the Year 1 report submission. Local journalism plays a significant role in bringing communities together, but the shifting trends in the news media have meant less coverage of local happenings in recent years. This presents an opportunity for WNIT to expand to meet the increased need for local information from a trusted source. To increase their community impact, WNIT’s board of directors has set a goal to increase locally produced programs each year for the next five years and to create content that appeals to a broader audience. Technology upgrades provide critical support for all of WNIT’s current local programs and make it possible to launch new programs aimed at increasing their impact on the region. This project will help WNIT sustain existing services, improve programming, and enhance training for students and interns.
Success of the project was evaluated based on the completion of the upgrade project within the set budget and outlined goals/measurements for new programming, increasing on-location segments, and growing digital content. WNIT will also monitor viewership of local programming, monitor geographic locations featured in local segments, and seek feedback from staff, students/interns, and the community. Viewership is the most important indicator that WNIT’s work is making an impact. WNIT measures impact through monthly broadcast and digital viewership reports, website and social media analytics.
WNIT reported challenges related to shifting audience viewing habits, with the majority now consuming media online rather than through traditional broadcasts. To adapt to these changing preferences, WNIT is evolving the way they release their programming. Instead of premiering content on television, the organization is first sharing shorter segments online and on social media. This approach allows WNIT to capture audience interest with bite-sized clips before releasing the full program, ensuring greater engagement. The organization is also being strategic with its equipment purchases, prioritizing the right order to ensure seamless integration. Additionally, WNIT reports that the organization will be hiring an integration company to ensure the new system functions properly.
Grantee: WVPE
Project: WVPE’s Move and Equipment Upgrades
Amount: $150,000.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 2/28/2026
After 50 years, Elkhart Community Schools conducted a space study of programs and rooms at the Elkhart Area Career Center in advance of a bond-funded building upgrade. The results showed WVPE’s current location, in the center of the school, to be perfect for a consolidated student services center, while WVPE would be better supported in a first-floor corner suite. A swap was encouraged. The station knew this major project was coming, but could not move forward before final school board approval of bids under budget, which recently occurred. The station will complete its move by spring 2025.
Station operations experienced little interruption of service. Additionally, WVPE staff members have been pleased with the move.
Grantee: South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, Inc.
Project: “Summer of Rock” Collaborative Project, 2026-28
Amount: $93,200.00 (Payable over 3 years)
Date Approved: 12/18/2025
Final Report Submitted: 8/1/2026
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras (SBYSO) requested support for “Summer of Rock.” Building on successful summer camp and rock-orchestra programming in 2023, 2024, and 2025, the project is designed to provide young musicians in Michiana with expanded performance opportunities outside the traditional classical repertoire while also testing a sustainable model for future earned revenue and program growth. The grant period covers 2026-2028, with performances and related evaluations planned for May 2026, June 2027, and June 2028.
The first-year project activity was successful by several measures. The May 2026 Bon Jovi concert filled 948 of 959 available seats and generated enthusiastic audience response, positive feedback from Windborne Music, and strong word-of-mouth visibility in the broader community. Student and parent evaluations were generally positive, with many participants noting that the experience was fun and different from typical SBYSO repertoire. SBYSO also reported new outreach opportunities through media partnerships, including Sunny 101.5, WNDU, and WNIT, and identified a potential future revenue stream through royalty payments of $500 each time Windborne performs the co-created Bon Jovi show.
The primary challenge in 2026 was the length and structure of the first concert, which was incorporated into a regular SBYSO season performance rather than presented as a stand-alone summer event. Because the Bon Jovi portion followed announcements, Concert Orchestra, intermission, and a concerto competition performance, the full event lasted close to three hours. SBYSO noted that the 2027 and 2028 performances are expected to be stand-alone events at Saint Mary’s College and should be shorter and less costly. Another challenge was that The Music Village did not receive enough student-band interest to participate in the 2026 performance; the partner plans earlier and more aggressive outreach for 2027 and 2028.
Grantee: Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Project: Fischoff Summer Music Intensive
Amount: $50,000.00
Date Approved: 06/16/2026
Final Report Submitted: 9/5/2026
Year 1 Report:
Fischoff National Chamber Music Association received grant support for the Fischoff Chamber Music Summer Intensive, a week-long summer music program for young musicians entering sixth grade and above. The program is designed to address the need for accessible, affordable, high-quality chamber music education by immersing students in chamber music through small-ensemble playing, coaching with world-class artist faculty, and performance opportunities, while also building teamwork, communication, leadership, respect, and creative problem-solving skills.
During the 2026 program year, Fischoff served 25 students from Indiana and Michigan, including 13 new participants and 12 returning participants. Students represented 14 schools and participated in ensemble coaching, individual lessons, workshops, community engagement activities, and public performances. Community showcase concerts were free and open to the public, and the week included a Student Showcase Concert, a Faculty Concert, and a Final Concert and Public Reception featuring all student chamber ensembles.
Evaluation results were strong. Twenty-five students completed surveys, with 96% rating the overall camp experience as good or excellent. All students rated ensemble coaching as good or excellent, including 80% who rated it excellent. Student ratings for the Faculty Concert, Student Showcase Concert, and Community Engagement Concert ranged from 96% to 100% good or excellent, and all students who attended the Faculty Concert and Student Showcase Concert rated those experiences excellent. Five parents responded to the parent survey, and 100% reported that the program increased their child’s understanding of chamber music by “a lot” and helped improve their child’s musical skills.
The project experienced challenges related to a condensed planning timeline following a February staffing change, limited staffing capacity, recruitment and logistics, and operating in a new university building with new procedures for room access, parking, and coordination. Fischoff responded by relying on community partnerships, strengthening internal systems, using clear daily schedules and signage, and holding regular faculty debriefs.
Grantee: South Bend Museum of Art
Project: Exhibitions and Gallery Progamming 2025-2026
Amount: $50,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/17/2026
The South Bend Museum of Art received support to strengthen its 2025-2026 gallery season and expand access to high-quality visual arts experiences for residents, students, artists, and visitors throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Funds supported exhibitions and gallery programming including Biennial 33, Scholastic Art Awards, Around the Bend, LGBTQ+, Women’s Caucus, Northern Indiana Pastel Society, and solo exhibitions by regional artists. The project advanced artistic excellence, equity, broad participation, and community pride through free admission, school engagement, artist talks, First Friday receptions, tours, and community events.
During 2025, SBMA met or exceeded key project goals. The Museum welcomed 16,509 visitors through exhibitions, gallery events, and educational programming, exceeding its goal of 16,000 visitors. SBMA also recorded 1,067 arts education enrollments and continued serving more than 1,000 K-12 students. The Scholastic Art Awards exhibition reached students and educators across nineteen counties in Indiana and Michigan, while Around the Bend highlighted artists from Northern Indiana. Across the 2025-2026 season, SBMA’s exhibitions provided meaningful platforms for student, emerging, established, local, regional, and community-based artists while offering the public free access to diverse visual arts experiences.
The primary challenge identified was the continued difficulty of measuring exhibition impact beyond attendance totals. While SBMA tracked visitor counts, education enrollments, public program participation, artist representation, partnerships, email engagement of more than 8,000 subscribers, and social media activity, the organization noted that it continues to refine methods for documenting first-time visitors, audience demographics, community impact, and long-term influence on artists and audiences.
A strong personal story illustrates the project’s long-term value. Ceramic artist Ray McClein first exhibited at SBMA as a Scholastic Art Awards student and later taught ceramics, served on the Board and Collections & Exhibitions Committee, and now has artwork in SBMA’s permanent collection. His experience demonstrates how SBMA helps artists grow from early student recognition to sustained professional and civic engagement, supporting the full lifecycle of the artist.
Grantee: South Bend Civic Theatre
Project: 2025 CIVIC Programming Support
Amount: $50,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/29/2026
During the 2025 season, the CIVIC presented 11 productions and 78 performances, involving more than 220 cast members and 30 instrumentalists. More than 12,000 tickets were purchased, and the organization engaged approximately 300 front-of-house volunteers along with more than 100 additional volunteers supporting costumes, props, lighting, projections, sound, and construction. The organization reports that more than 70% of its nearly 13,000 patrons and more than 80% of its 500-plus annual volunteers come from St. Joseph County, underscoring the local civic engagement purpose of the grant.
Education and outreach outcomes were also strong. In 2025, the CIVIC offered 21 classes serving 201 students, maintained a year-round Company with 54 members and 29 public performances, and completed 20 summer camps serving 217 campers. The organization distributed more than $10,000 in scholarships. During the 2025-2026 school year, 10 field trip performances served more than 2,800 students, with more than $60,000 in ticket subsidies provided to Title I classrooms. In addition, more than 170 outreach workshops with community partners reached 751 students, and 80 local schools were represented through youth productions, camps, classes, and field trips.
Challenges centered on staffing capacity, employee benefits, and shifting volunteer behavior. The CIVIC noted that it remains difficult to recruit and retain full-time theatre professionals because wages are not comparable with industry competitors and because the organization cannot currently provide health insurance because the costs increased significantly between 2024 and 2026. The organization also identified a decline in volunteer participation since COVID as a continuing operational concern and has responded by increasing volunteer outreach, engagement, and appreciation.
The CIVIC shared that three 2025 productions: “Once on This Island,’ “Waitress,” and “The Crucible” centered women’s experiences and addressed colorism, classism, domestic abuse, and abuse of power. One patron who had experienced domestic abuse wrote after “Waitress” to thank the CIVIC, describing the performance as cathartic and healing, illustrating the power of live theatre to help community members see their own stories reflected on stage.
Grantee: Southold Dance Theater
Project: Southold Dance Theater 2025-2026 Season
Amount: $20,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/15/2026
Southold Dance Theater received funding to support its 2025-2026 Season, which continued the organization’s celebration of 50 years of incorporation in 2025. The grant helped Southold advance its ’50 acts for 50 years’ vision through major performances, community outreach, guest artist engagement, master classes, artistic collaborations, and continued work on a documentary capturing the anniversary year. The project supported Southold’s mission of enriching lives through dance while expanding access to ballet for students, families, and community members who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
During the 2025-2026 season, Southold reported strong outcomes across performances, outreach, enrollment, and financial assistance. The Nutcracker served 1,200 students through a fully sponsored youth matinee and 4,569 audience members through public performances, while The Sleeping Beauty/Spring Ballet reached 1,228 audience members. Community outreach activities included a Public Library Tea serving 50 participants, a KROC Center demonstration serving 80, Spring/Winter Showcase attendance of 257, ArtBeat attendance of more than 250, and Chris Wilson Pavilion attendance of more than 300. Student participation also remained strong, with 67 enrolled students and 74 community members participating in The Nutcracker, and 49 enrolled students and 14 community members participating in the Spring Ballet. Southold enrolled 51 new students, provided financial assistance to 40 students, not including free tuition for boys, and reported that students receiving financial assistance participated in major performance opportunities, including 14 children in The Nutcracker, 8 in The Sleeping Beauty/Spring Ballet, and 14 in Company.
The primary project change was the delay of the documentary premiere. Rather than launching during the original grant period, Southold continued capturing the full 50th anniversary experience and now plans to preview the documentary in late 2026. The organization also continued working toward completion of the 50 Acts of Outreach. Other challenges included facility issues at the historic Colfax school building, the inability to continue a live-music collaboration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra for The Nutcracker due to the $50,000 cost. and the ongoing challenge of retaining male students through company-level instruction.
One student joined Southold during the 2024-2025 season as a high school junior and understood that, because of her training level, she might not reach the highest level of the program or receive every role she hoped for. With persistence, hard work, and tuition assistance, she was able to continue dancing through personal family challenges, graduate from Southold, and perform her dream role as a Snowflake in The Nutcracker.
Grantee: Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Project: Fischoff’s Education Programs 2025-2026
Amount: $20,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/30/2026
The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association received support for its 2025-2026 Education Programs, which expand access to high-quality chamber music education for children and youth across St. Joseph County and the broader tri-state region. The grant supported free and low-cost arts education experiences in which students study, listen to, and play music through in-school workshops, performances, literacy-based concerts, competition-related experiences, and year-round chamber music instruction. Each fall, Fischoff alumni and mid-career ensembles lead school-based programming and transform children’s books into musical performances that promote literacy and encourage reading. Each spring, Fischoff Competition ensembles serve as Peer Ambassadors for Chamber Music, offering elementary students first-rate, interactive music experiences.
Fischoff reported strong participation and meaningful educational outcomes across its programs. During 2025-2026, the Double Gold Tour winners, Cerus Quartet and Katarina String Quartet, reached 1,942 students through 37 live classroom visits, workshops, and masterclasses. PACMan reached 788 students at 12 schools, giving elementary students access to relatable, high-quality live performances by musicians close to their own age. The Arts-in-Education Residency included 17 performances in November 2025, reaching 1,408 audience members, including 11 S.A.M. I Am programs that connected music and children’s literature. The Fischoff Competition Campus Experience took place on Friday, May 8, 2026, and hosted 155 orchestra students from Clay International Academy, Edison, and LaSalle Academy at the quarterfinal round of the Fischoff Competition. The Fischoff Academy served 48 students in 15 ensembles and presented 31 programs reaching more than 5,830 people throughout the area. Fischoff used formal and informal evaluation tools, including teacher feedback, student evaluations, partner debriefs, and attendance tracking, to assess quality, engagement, and program impact.
A significant project change occurred in fall 2025, when Fischoff instituted a modest Academy tuition following a task force review and an expanded music training partnership with the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra. Although Fischoff historically provided free educational programming, the organization reported that the Academy tuition represents only 25% of the actual cost per student. Full tuition waivers remain available for students with financial need. Identified challenges were growing community demand, rising artist fees, transportation costs, program delivery expenses, and the logistical complexity of coordinating school schedules and adapting programming for diverse learners, which continue to strain available resources.
Grantee: WNIT Channel 34
Project: 2025 Arts Programming on WNIT
Amount: $15,000.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 12/29/2025
PBS Michiana-WNIT received 2025 funding to advance its mission of inspiring, informing, entertaining, and unifying the communities it serves by expanding access to the arts through high-quality programming. As a PBS station, WNIT brings nationally acclaimed arts performances to local audiences while showcasing regional talent through programs such as Experience Michiana, Live from ND, the Arts at IUSB series, holiday specials, and coverage of events like the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. This initiative addresses the gap in arts participation by making creative experiences accessible and encouraging attendance at local performances.
In 2025, WNIT’s arts programming reached significant milestones. According to Nielsen ratings, Experience Michigan averaged 3,559 households per program each month, translating to an estimated 5,339 individual viewers monthly. This represents a 14% increase in household viewership since 2024 and a 46% increase since 2022. Performance arts programs featuring IUSB, the University of Notre Dame, the South Bend Symphony, and the Fischoff Competition collectively reached 70,000 viewers over the past year. Digital engagement expanded as well: on Facebook, Experience Michiana generated 166,156 video views, reaching 29,198 users between August 1 and December 22, while YouTube recorded 15,922 views and more than 383,000 impressions. These metrics confirm strong community engagement and sustained interest in local arts content. Viewer feedback continues to affirm the value of WNIT’s programming, with comments praising its educational quality, cultural enrichment, and entertainment value.
Balancing the breadth of stories with limited airtime and resources remains an ongoing challenge. WNIT addressed this by prioritizing segments that elevate local arts organizations and community resources. In 2025, Experience Michicana placed a strong emphasis on showcasing the region’s arts community. The program also highlighted community destinations like Logan Center, Potawatomi Zoo, and Unity Gardens, as well as initiatives addressing local needs, including the Women’s Entrepreneur Summit and Dustin’s Place Grief Share. Finally, the program supported and elevated local entrepreneurs who take the risk of starting and sustaining small businesses. This helped shine a light on innovation, creativity, and economic vitality in Michiana. By amplifying these stories, WNIT strengthened connections across Michiana and reinforced its role as a trusted source of information and cultural engagement.
WNIT plans to continue this work through a combination of grants, donations, and business underwriting. The station remains committed to lifting up the community by connecting viewers with meaningful experiences and opportunities, ensuring that arts and culture remain accessible to all residents.
Grantee: South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, Inc.
Project: SBYSO Sectional Program
Amount: $10,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/30/2026
South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras received a $10,000 Spring 2025 ArtsEverywhere grant to support the SBYSO Sectional Program during the 2025-2026 season. The program provided intensive small-group coaching for student musicians by instrument section, with students meeting in separate classrooms in the Education & Arts Building at IUSB and working with professional musicians or music educators who play their instruments. The purpose of the grant was to strengthen students’ technical skills, artistry, preparation, mentorship opportunities, and musical confidence beyond what can be addressed in full-orchestra rehearsals.
More than two dozen coaches supported sectionals, and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra provided coaches for six sessions during the season. Sectionals helped students prepare ambitious repertoire, including Derek Bermel’s “Spring Cadenzas,” a required element of Midori’s Orchestra Residencies Program. In post-program feedback, 23 student evaluations were received; 21 students rated the sectional program as “Excellent” or “Good,” and 13 of those students indicated that the program “helped a lot.” The organization reported that the sectional work contributed meaningfully to students’ performance quality, including positive feedback from Clara Kim, Midori’s artistic partner and residency coordinator, who noted that SBYSO’s performance was among the highest-level youth orchestra performances among Orchestra Residencies Program ensembles.
No significant project changes or challenges were reported. Student comments reinforced the program’s value. One student wrote, “Sectionals are super helpful. They allow for deep individual work.” Another shared, “I think it really helps when there is a variety of coaches; those differing opinions and methods go further than you might think at first.”
Grantee: WVPE
Project: 2025 Productions of The Sauce
Amount: $10,000.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 12/16/2025
WVPE received funding to support the 2025 production schedule for its cultural programming suite: The Sauce (hosted by Dawn Burns), The Sauce: Live From…, and the companion weekly podcast series The Sauce with Dawn Burns. All three platforms are co-created and produced by host Dawn Burns and producer Karl Smith to highlight local and global artists, amplify diverse and inclusive creative voices, and create digital content.
Throughout 2025, WVPE met its production goals, delivering 12 monthly episodes of The Sauce, 24 live performance broadcasts for The Sauce: Live From…, and 52 weekly podcast episodes for The Sauce with Dawn Burns. Audience engagement increased across broadcast and digital platforms. According to internal Nielsen Audio Analysis, moving the programs to a new time slot increased regular broadcast listenership. Podcast analytics showed steady growth, with The Sauce with Dawn Burns averaging 47 downloads per week, and more than 20% of listeners accessing episodes on mobile devices. Episodes featuring diverse artistic communities—such as UZIMA! Drum and Dance and the Nomad Theatre Collective—frequently exceeded download numbers, suggesting strong community interest in culturally inclusive storytelling. Participating artists reported tangible benefits from their appearances: several received new performance inquiries following their features, and many shared that the series provided their first opportunity to tell their artistic story in a public broadcast setting. Live venue recordings across the region broadened geographic reach, strengthened relationships with partner venues, and increased visibility for local performers.
The project year presented operational challenges, such as coordinating live recording schedules across multiple venues, which required flexibility, increased workload, and tightened turnaround times for the production team. WVPE also recognized the growing importance of video and audience engagement and plans to expand long-form video on YouTube to extend the life and reach of interviews and performances.
The programming will continue through WVPE operational support, listener contributions, underwriting and sponsorships, and additional grant funding. Looking to 2026, Dawn Burns and Karl Smith have begun venue scheduling for The Sauce: Live From… earlier to increase flexibility and to strengthen marketing lead times for individual performances. Feedback from partner venues and artists affirmed the value of the platform in elevating artistic work and connecting creators with new audiences. Overall, the 2025 grant period strengthened WVPE’s cultural programming footprint and broadened access to diverse, community-centered storytelling across Michiana.
Grantee: The History Museum
Project: 2025 Exhibitions
Amount: $10,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/30/2026
The History Museum received funding to support its 2025 exhibitions, including Rockne: Life and Legacy. The exhibit focused on Knute Rockne, one of the most iconic figures in college football history, whose leadership helped Notre Dame win its first national championship in 1924 and whose life and death had a lasting impact locally and nationally. The exhibit was on view from August 23, 2025, through May 31, 2026, and was accompanied by lectures, programs, and related interpretation.
The project presented a well-researched, engaging exhibition and related programming that deepened public understanding of Rockne’s life, career, and legacy. The museum collected feedback through digital and written surveys as well as verbal comments. Survey responses indicated strong appreciation for the artifacts, photographs, and historical context, with visitors noting that the exhibit clarified myths, shared information they had not previously known, and highlighted Rockne’s connection to South Bend. Program participation was also strong: 68% of survey respondents reported attending a lecture by WNDU anchor Tricia Sloma, 62% attended a lecture by Rockne historian Andy Nickle, and several attended lectures by authors and historians including Charles Lamb, Elizabeth Hogan, Jim Lefebvre, Alex Painter, Ivan Maisel, and Mark Hubbard.
Marketing and audience feedback also provided useful evaluation data. Survey respondents learned about the exhibit and programs through multiple channels: 39% through the museum’s website, 35% through broadcast or print media, 57% through a museum email or mailing, and 17% through social media. Approximately 85% of surveys came from local residents, while the remaining responses came from travelers from as far away as Texas and Tennessee. These results suggest that the project reached both local audiences and out-of-town visitors, while also giving the museum helpful information about how to continue reaching varied audiences for future exhibits and programs.
The main challenge involved determining whether out-of-town football fans visiting for Notre Dame home game weekends would leave campus to attend the exhibit or related programs. The museum found that many visitors preferred to remain on campus, so staff adjusted the lecture times to be on Sunday afternoons to better capture non-local audiences. This appears to have been a thoughtful and effective adjustment.
Personal stories and visitor comments were especially positive. One visitor said the section about Rockne’s early life and his family’s immigration to the United States was meaningful because of his own background.
Grantee: South Bend Venues Parks and Arts Foundation
Project: South Bend Fusion Fest 2025
Amount: $7,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 11/3/2025
South Bend Venues Parks and Arts received funding to support the 2025 South Bend Fusion Festival, an annual cultural event designed to unite the community through immersive arts, music, food, and creative expression. The festival serves as a platform for social cohesion by celebrating the cultures that shape the region and by elevating local talent. The 2025 festival expanded its youth engagement opportunities in music and art.
The 2025 Fusion Fest welcomed over 29,000 attendees, a strong turnout. Digital tracking showed that festivalgoers stayed between 90 and 120 minutes, nearly twice as long as in prior years, indicating deeper engagement. Attendees primarily lived within a 10-mile radius of Howard Park, though visitors traveled from as far as Grand Rapids, MI, and Michigan City, IN. More than 85% of survey respondents rated the event “beyond expectation,” praising security, staff interaction, diverse performances, and food offerings. The most frequent suggestion was to increase event hours.
A redesigned Kid Zone, improved access to the playground and water features, and culturally focused art and music for younger participants. The Sole Art sneaker competition drew families from across the region and provided all materials to ensure youth could participate regardless of financial barriers, and the winners from each age group will represent South Bend in a statements contest during the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis in April 2026. Partner organizations participated through a “passport” activity that introduced global cultures. The City’s Digital Services team also engaged attendees in a digital time-capsule project celebrating South Bend’s 160th anniversary, collecting reflections from the community.
The year brought both successes and challenges. Fusion Fest continued to expand, with 102 food vendors, 45 artisan vendors, and 53 performance groups that were featured across the weekend, including several University of Notre Dame cultural clubs and returning groups from IU South Bend. Managing vendor capacity, electrical needs, and stage programming remained a significant logistical challenge, especially as the event seeks to highlight local talent while maintaining high-quality performances. The festival also relied heavily on volunteer support. Despite these challenges, VPA successfully reconfigured festival space to accommodate the growing number of participants and ensured a seamless attendee experience.
One personal story illustrates the festival’s economic and community impact: a local food vendor shared that they sold out on both days of the event, and the revenue earned during Fusion Fest was enough to pay an entire year of college tuition for both of their children. This testimonial reflects the broader economic benefits the festival provides to local families and businesses.
Grantee: The Main Stage, Inc.
Project: The Main Stage 2025-2026 Season Support
Amount: $7,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/29/2026
The Main Stage, Inc. received support for its 2025 season of musical theater education and performance opportunities for children over age 5. The organization provides affordable, high-quality theater participation and performances for children, families, and community members, with licensed teachers and experienced creative staff supporting instruction, rehearsals, and productions.
During the grant period, The Main Stage served 180 participants through three children’s theater productions, including Aladdin in March 2025. In addition, 153 parents volunteered at least 3 hours each to assist with set construction, costuming, and other production needs. The organization also planned additional 2025 programming, including the community production The Wizard of Oz in July 2025, a 1-week immersive musical theater camp featuring Annie Jr. in July 2025, a fall 2025 production of Beetlejuice Jr., and other children’s programming during the 2025-2026 school year.
Evaluation results indicate that the project successfully advanced the organization’s mission and maintained strong program quality. Participant surveys reflected positive experiences, with students and families noting growth in acting, singing, choreography, confidence, and teamwork. Audience members and board members reported positive feedback about the talent of the young performers, the quality of choreography, and the professionalism of the productions. The organization plans to continue collecting participant surveys and to add an online audience survey in the coming year to better measure community impact and inform future productions.
The organization reported no significant project changes. The primary challenge noted was the loss of one of the organization’s founders and visionaries during the past two years. The Main Stage has continued to move forward while honoring her legacy and addressing the loss of her historical knowledge and technical skills. From an evaluative perspective, the report demonstrates strong mission alignment, meaningful youth participation, broad family volunteer engagement, and continued attention to affordability and quality. The organization’s reflection also suggests strong sustainability planning through grants, corporate sponsors, donors, tuition, ticket sales, and building ownership.
A personal story shared in the report illustrates the program’s impact on one child who loved music, had perfect pitch, and was diagnosed as neurodivergent. Through participation at The Main Stage, he received support from directors and fellow cast members, gained musical confidence, and developed a greater understanding of peers through character work and performance. The family reported that he is now thriving and growing, underscoring the lasting value of accessible musical theater education.
Grantee: Robinson Community Learning Center – University of Notre Dame
Project: 2025-2026 Robinson Shakespeare Company
Amount: $7,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/30/2026
The Robinson Shakespeare Company and Theater Lab Outreach project received support to provide year-round theatre and drama-integrated learning opportunities for youth in grades 2-12. The grant’s purpose was to expand youth participation in theatre and the arts, improve educational outcomes through drama integration, increase teachers’ capacity to use drama in academic curricula, and strengthen partnerships with South Bend’s local arts community.
During the 2025-2026 program year, RCLC exceeded several participation and access goals. There was no cost to families for any theatre activities. Afterschool programming served more than 75 children in grades 2-8, and drama-integrated outreach strengthened English language arts instruction for more than 377 students at Clay International Academy, Edison K-8, Nuner Elementary, Holy Cross Grade School, Rise Up Academy, and Riley High School. Student feedback was very strong: 100% of responding students reported that they liked when the RCLC theatre team visited their language arts classes, and 96.3% said the visits made reading more fun.
The project also advanced artistic quality, community partnership, and public engagement goals. RCLC collaborated with local artists and teaching professionals, including specialists in choreography, music, voice, theatre, and American Sign Language interpretation. RCLC hosted two professional performances, Señorita Mariposa and New Identity Dance Collective, and took participants to multiple productions.
Community performances and events reached substantial audiences in 2025-2026. RCLC Theater Lab and Robinson Shakespeare Company performed Elf, Jr. for audiences totaling more than 450 people, Amazing Grace for more than 300 audience members, Guys and Dolls, Sr. for an audience of 80 senior citizens, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for an audience of 130. Performances and showcases also took place at community venues.
The main challenges identified were sustainable funding and succession planning for the theatre program director. Although the director has not announced plans to retire, RCLC noted that replacing her creativity, theatre experience, and pedagogical expertise will be difficult.
A particularly meaningful personal story came from the 2025-2026 Elf, Jr. experience. The student who played Buddy the Elf is on the autism spectrum and had the opportunity to meet Jack Ducat, the actor portraying Buddy on the national tour of Elf. The student’s mother later shared that this was one of the first times her son felt truly included by a group of children and that it would be a memory he would carry for the rest of his life.
Grantee: United Youth Theatre
Project: United Youth Theatre – 2025 Season
Amount: $7,500.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 1/28/2026
United Youth Theatre (UYT) received funds to support its 2025 season, which will engage K-12 students in four productions (Charlotte’s Web, Footloose, Clue, and The Wizard of Oz). UYT’s 2025 season will offer a variety of on- and off-stage opportunities for youth in our community, with a goal of reaching 1,000 youth in St. Joseph County, expanding arts access, and providing vital life skills through theater. This grant will be paid from the Stephen Fields Family Fund.
The project met and exceeded most intended outcomes. Across the 2025 season, UYT reached a total combined audience of approximately 2,338 people. Attendance by production included: Charlotte’s Web (670), Footloose (634), CLUE (334), and The Wizard of Oz (projected 700). Youth engagement also surpassed expectations, with 1,045 youth participating in productions, education programs (camps, classes, workshops), and community-based programs, including school performances and Boys & Girls Club partnerships. In 2025, UYT reestablished its education programming, offering 6 class sessions, 5 summer camps, 8 workshops, and community-based programming across four Boys & Girls Club sites, reaching more than 100 children. The organization also expanded its feedback systems by implementing new pre- and post-show surveys for youth, families, and audiences. Additionally, UYT increased its program offerings compared to 2024, demonstrating both higher demand and increased organizational capacity.
Several challenges emerged during the grant period, primarily related to staff and volunteer capacity. As demand for programming increased, UYT faced strain in managing expanded offerings while maintaining quality and safety. The organization identified the need for earlier and more intentional investment in infrastructure, staffing, and volunteer systems to support sustainable growth. Fundraising capacity improved significantly after transitioning to a full-time Executive Director, enabling early secured commitments for the 2026 season, including $3,000 in individual gifts and a $5,000 corporate sponsorship.
Grantee: Downtown South Bend Foundation
Project: 2025 Art Beat
Amount: $7,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted:
Art Beat is South Bend’s largest single-day celebration of the arts, transforming downtown streets into an immersive showcase of visual, performing, and culinary talent. The free, all-ages festival brings together more than 750 artists and attracts over 20,000 attendees, helping reduce barriers to arts participation while promoting downtown businesses and strengthening the region’s cultural identity. Each year, Art Beat aims to deepen community engagement, expand inclusivity, and support artist success by offering an accessible, low-cost platform for exhibiting and selling creative work.
The 2025 event achieved its intended impact, with artists and businesses reporting exceptional, record-breaking sales and visitors expressing high satisfaction with the event layout, quality of art, and overall experience. Despite record heat reducing attendance compared to previous years, turnout remained strong, especially earlier in the day. The event successfully implemented cooling stations and misting fans to support public safety. Social media reach expanded significantly, with more than 428,000 views and engagement metrics far surpassing the prior year, underscoring the festival’s growing visibility and regional appeal.
Art Beat’s successes were complemented by several challenges. In addition to the extreme temperatures, rising event costs, driven by inflation, increased supply and rental fees, and a commitment to fair compensation for creative partners, made it increasingly difficult to break even. As the festival grows, so do operational expenses, limiting the ability to add new “wow” elements without additional funding. Nonetheless, community enthusiasm remains overwhelming, with artists, residents, visitors, and businesses consistently calling Art Beat one of the happiest, most joyful arts experiences in the region.
Art Beat will continue, supported by a blend of corporate sponsorships, grants, participant fees, merchandise sales, and commissions. With strong public demand and a proven track record of cultural and economic impact, Art Beat remains a cornerstone of downtown vibrancy by strengthening civic pride, elevating South Bend’s reputation as a thriving arts community, and ensuring local artists have a meaningful platform to connect, create, and succeed.
Grantee: Vibes Music Festival, Inc
Project: Vibes Music Festival – 2025 Local Performances
Amount: $6,850.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted:
Funds helped support local performances at the 2025 Vibes Music Festival, which took place on July 12, 2025. Funds specifically supported local performances. As they enhance the festival experience, VMF anticipates increased attendance and revenue- all of which directly support events, programs, and creative funds they provide year-round to benefit the arts community.
The Vibes Music Festival, now in its sixth year, continued its mission in 2024- 2025 to showcase underrepresented creatives and entrepreneurs while providing a safe, family-friendly celebration of music, art, and community in South Bend. With investments in interactive art experiences, upgraded branding, and enhanced programming, the festival aimed to boost attendance and deepen community impact. The event featured multiple stages of live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, and a Game Lounge with tournaments and prizes, drawing a total of 2,900 attendees–slightly up from last year’s 2,800. Six sponsorship partners supported the event, and the second round of Vibes Creative Fund awards was presented, with $750 granted to each recipient to advance their creative work.
Financially, the festival generated a net gross of $4,531, down from $10,875 in 2023- 2024. Organizers attributed this to an intentional shift toward more accessible ticket pricing and flash sales to increase community access. While peak crowd numbers were smaller–1,000 at 9 PM compared to 2,000 at 8 PM last year–overall attendance still grew, and sponsorship revenue showed positive momentum. Organizers noted the need to rebuild the volunteer base to collect better attendee data and refine pricing strategies to ensure sustainability.
Challenges remain in securing funding to bring in a nationally recognized headliner and in significantly growing attendance beyond the current scale. Future strategies include seeking additional state and local funding, expanding partnerships, and possibly offering free admission to increase reach. Despite financial and logistical hurdles, Vibes Music Festival continues to thrive as a safe, valued community event that celebrates local talent and strengthens the region’s creative economy.
Grantee: South Bend Lyric Opera
Project: SBLO 2025 Season
Amount: $5,000.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 12/31/2025
South Bend Lyric Opera (SBLO) received funding to support its ninth season, which included three major artistic components and the launch of a new educational initiative. The season featured two short operas, The Scarf and Bon Appetit by Lee Hoiby, in partnership with Ensemble CONCEPT 21 at Indiana University South Bend; Puccini Around the World, a concert of the composer’s best-known works presented in collaboration with Merriman’s Playhouse; and a fully staged production of Tosca with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, SBLO launched its Emerging Artist Program in Partnership with IUSB and held its first-ever Gala Annual Fundraiser.
Throughout the 2024-2025 program year, SBLO presented multiple performances that varied in scale, artistic approach, and financial capacity. Puccini Around the World was held in a more intimate venue yet drew a full audience and exceptionally strong feedback. SBLO’s production of Tosca delivered a large-scale artistic experience and was very well attended at both performances. Audience members praised the production quality, the partnership between organizations, and the option of attending either an evening or matinee show.
Financially, the season presented a mix of challenges and successes. Ticket revenue was lower than historical averages due to the smaller venues used for the first two productions and the high cost of producing Tosca with a full orchestra, and attendance at the season’s first production was lower than anticipated. However, SBLO’s inaugural Gala proved remarkably successful, nearly doubling total revenue from calendar year 2023 to 2024, and provided crucial funding to cover production budgets. The Emerging Artist Program also launched successfully, including a shared administrative intern and December 2025 auditions for young artists to be considered for La Boheme and future summer activities. SBLO also achieved a 30% increase in combined corporate, individual, and grant support between 2024 and 2025.
Looking ahead, SBLO anticipates entering its tenth year with continued growth in ticket revenues, strengthened fundraising performance, and increasing momentum for its educational initiatives. The organization expects its 2026 production of La Boheme to draw significant audience interest, and it projects that the annual Gala, which is to take place at the Palais Royale, will continue to expand visibility and revenue. SBLO also plans to hire its first executive director in 2026, a step expected to enhance fundraising capacity and support long-term organizational stability.
Grantee: Merrimans’ Playhouse Inc.
Project: Merrimans Playhouse 2025-2026 season
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/29/2026
Merrimans’ Playhouse received support for its 2025-2026 season to foster and expand jazz talent in the region, including professional artists, student musicians, and emerging performers. Grant funds supported the Home Grown Jazz Series, Student Jazz Performance Series, Jazz Open Session, and Chamber Arts Series, with expenses including musician fees, marketing and promotion, and operating costs.
During the July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026 grant period, Merrimans’ Playhouse presented 135 total events, including 83 concerts and 52 weekly Jazz Open Sessions. The Home Grown Jazz Project represented 59% of venue programming and included 27 Home Grown concerts and 52 Jazz Open Sessions, for a total of 79 Home Grown events. Home Grown concerts served 1,264 patrons, including 977 general patrons, 270 student patrons, and 259 new patrons, averaging 47 attendees per concert compared with 41 during the previous grant period. Overall, Merrimans’ Playhouse welcomed 2,548 patrons during the 2025-2026 grant period, averaging 40 attendees per concert and including 828 new patrons. Student attendance increased from an average of eight to nine students per concert.
Key outcomes included expanded performance opportunities for local artists and students, continued growth in student participation, and increased public access to jazz through the launch of Merrimans’ Playhouse’s weekly live concert broadcast on WETF 105.7 FM and expanded live-streaming. The Student Jazz Performance Series provided leadership opportunities for collegiate and high school musicians, while the weekly Jazz Open Sessions offered an ongoing setting for musicians of varied experience levels to develop improvisation, listening, collaboration, and performance skills alongside seasoned artists.
Challenges included the need for increased artist compensation, limited marketing resources, and growing demands on volunteer staff as programming expanded. The organization also identified a need to broaden participation among musicians and audiences from diverse backgrounds through stronger relationships with schools, community organizations, and underserved populations.
Grantee: Musical Arts Indiana, Inc.
Project: Musical Arts Indiana 2025-2026 season
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/29/2026
Musical Arts Indiana received funding to support its 2025-2026 season, which presented public concerts by three of its four ensembles, both independently and in collaboration with community arts partners. The season advanced MAI’s mission to provide high-quality musical experiences for South Bend and surrounding communities through traditional western art music, oratorio, multicultural works, and contemporary repertoire by underrepresented and historically marginalized composers. All concerts were open to the public and held in accessible sites, helping reduce barriers to participation and broaden community access to the arts.
Project outcomes were strong. During the 2025-2026 season, MAI reported that its two major Vesper Chorale concerts each served approximately 200 audience members and were close to sold out, achieving the organization’s goal of increasing audience size by 10 percent. Audience response was highly positive, including standing ovations and meaningful verbal feedback at post-concert receptions. The spring concert, Meet Me Here, included collaboration with The Open Fifths, a low-voice choir from Goshen, and MAI plans to build on that partnership with a full collaborative concert in the following season. The Children’s Choir of Michiana maintained approximately the same membership level as the prior year while implementing a musicianship baseline assessment and an ensemble evaluation tool; MAI reported musical growth among all participating children through these assessment practices.
No significant project changes were reported. The primary challenge identified was growing Children’s Choir of Michiana enrollment, despite the program’s tuition-free model, downtown location, and strong family satisfaction. MAI is continuing to plan outreach strategies to reach more children and expand participation.
Vesper Chorale members described the ensemble as a rare place where people of all ages can participate, a beautiful and supportive place to sing, and a musical “home” where members feel valued. One member shared that Vesper Chorale provides a safe space to share a love of singing within a supportive community of musicians, while another noted that the group pushes them musically to be at their best through moving and challenging repertoire.
Grantee: Studebaker National Museum
Project: 2026 Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 06/16/2026
Final Report Submitted: 9/2/2026
The Studebaker National Museum used Community Foundation support for the 2026 Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, now recognized as Indiana’s premier celebration of automotive design and styling. The grant helped support a two-day weekend of automotive exhibitions, Museum Campus activities, and educational programming held July 10-11, 2026, including the main Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Programming connected South Bend’s automotive heritage with audiences from the region and beyond through vehicle displays, the Driven by Design racetrack experience, historical walking tours, lectures by automotive historians, and expanded partnerships with the Motoring Podcast Network, the Society of Automotive Historians, and 24 Hours of Lemons.
The expanded 2026 weekend exceeded expectations and served approximately 2,500 guests across all programs. The Concours d’Elegance served approximately 1,650 attendees; Automotive History Live served more than 200 in-person participants and more than 100 online viewers; and the inaugural South Bend Concours d’Lemons featured 34 vehicles and served more than 400 attendees. More than 400 guests toured the Oliver Mansion, and the historical walking tours sold out again. Survey results were strongly positive, with more than 90% of respondents indicating they would attend again. The organization also noted strong interest in inclusive programming, including the “She Drives a Duesy” lecture by Madison Auten from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, which was specifically praised in nearly 20% of survey responses.
The project had no major reported changes, but the expansion of the weekend increased demands on staff and required careful coordination among new and returning partners. The organization also increased marketing investment to grow attendance at the core Concours d’Elegance, but determined that the strategy did not produce the desired return.
Grantee: Patchwork Dance Company
Project: Annual Support: PDC 2025 Production Support
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 2/2/2026
Patchwork Dance Company (PDC) received funding to support the production of two major concerts during the 2025 season, helping advance its mission to provide cultural enrichment and arts education through dance. These performances were designed to serve the general public while fostering local talent and elevating the artistic quality of dance in the region. The grant supported production costs, venue fees, and guest artist expenses, strengthening PDC’s ability to deliver high-quality artistic experiences to the community.
PDC successfully presented its Spring Concert on March 15, 2025, welcoming over 100 audience members to an evening featuring original choreography developed specifically for the company. Later in the year, PDC staged its classic holiday production, “Greta’s Gift”, across three performances: one school-day concert for students on December 5, 2025, and two public shows on December 5 and 6, 2025. These performances collectively served more than 1,300 attendees and engaged 60 youth and adult cast members. Audience response for both concerts was highly enthusiastic, with surveys indicating that the new choreography featured in the Spring Concert was among the audience’s favorite works. Feedback from “Greta’s Gift” demonstrated strong community affection for the production, with many performers reporting they were “very likely” to audition again next year. Following board review, PDC determined that the concert schedule was successful, and it plans to utilize the Battell Community Center for future spring productions to support long-term fiscal responsibility.
The year brought notable successes as well as challenges. Providing a school-day performance of “Greta’s Gift” remained a meaningful but complex undertaking, as schools have fewer opportunities for field trips than in past years. Still, PDC successfully maintained this tradition by offering reduced ticket prices and preparing educational lesson plans aligned with academic standards. These materials, written by PDC members who are also educators, helped schools justify attending the performance as a curriculum-aligned learning opportunity. Fundraising also remained an ongoing challenge, as performance costs continue to rise; however, PDC’s annual dinner auction once again raised essential funds that support participation for dancers and families with financial need. With strong attendance, positive survey feedback, and consistent board engagement, the 2025 performance season reinforced the continuing demand for high-quality local productions.
Grantee: The Acting Ensemble
Project: 2025-2026 Annual Support
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 6/17/2026
Acting Ensemble received support for its 2025-2026 season programming to address gaps in the local theater environment by producing plays that may not otherwise be staged locally, supporting locally written work, offering opportunities for volunteers and artists, and providing space for community. Grant-supported programs included monthly Stage Readings, six Main Stage productions, bi-monthly Poets and Playwrights, Late-Night theater, Michiana Songs and Stories or related music-and-storytelling events, youth programming planned in collaboration with Drama Spot, special productions, and Wisdom Stories instructional sessions that help seniors develop personal narratives for presentation at AE and to broader audiences.
AE reported strong participation across its programs. Main Stage productions served 1,000 attendees, averaging 143 people per show, with an average of 55 people remaining for post-show discussion. Stage Readings served 344 attendees, averaging 26 people per reading, with an average of 12 people remaining for talkbacks. Four drag shows served 88 people, WTF Late-Night theater offered two shows serving 54 people, Poets and Playwrights served 392 people, and one special event served 187 people. Audience evaluations consistently rated performances as meeting or exceeding expectations. Volunteers also contributed $218,499 in in-kind support, primarily through donated time.
Some project adjustments occurred during the grant period. The originally planned Michiana Songs and Stories component shifted to related music-and-storytelling events, and the youth classes in collaboration with Drama Spot did not occur; however, AE provided adult classes. AE also strengthened partnerships with the Elkhart Public Library and the History Museum, including one performance at the Main Elkhart Public Library and a History Museum partnership around Pigskins and Ponytails. AE plans to continue quarterly readings at the library during 2026-2027.
The primary challenge remains funding for building and theater improvements. Although AE secured support for a significant renovation of the theater space, additional needs include exterior painting, lighted signage, floor refurbishment, new seating, new risers, and improved entry-room lighting. AE also faced an expensive HVAC repair in 2026. Operating a theater primarily with volunteers remains both a strength and an ongoing operational challenge, and AE may eventually need paid staff to sustain programming.
Grantee: South Bend Chamber Singers – Saint Mary’s College
Project: South Bend Chamber Singers 37th Season
Amount: $3,500.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 7/27/2026
South Bend Chamber Singers (SBCS) requested and received $3,500 in support for its 37th Concert Season of Choral Excellence during the 2024-2025 season. The grant supported three major choral performances designed to expand access to high-quality arts experiences, present new and established choral works, and strengthen collaboration among local arts organizations. Season programming included “Christmas at Loretto,” featuring a new work by California-based composer Scott Perkins; “We Are Phoenix,” a new work for choir and strings by American composer Tim Takach, performed with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir; and “Carmina Burana,” presented in collaboration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Notre Dame Glee Club, and Saint Mary’s College Belles Voix.
The project achieved its primary goals by presenting a varied season of choral music, commissioning and performing new works, and engaging community partners and audiences through collaborative performances. The season served audiences through three public performances/events during the 2024-2025 concert year, with additional benefit to participating singers, student musicians, partner organizations, and community members who experienced the performances. While exact attendance figures were not provided in the report materials, SBCS evaluated the season through ticket sales, market tracking, collaborator feedback, audience response, media reaction, and the tracking of commissioned works for future publication, performance, and recording opportunities.
SBCS reported no significant project changes and indicated that the program will continue, funded through donations, ticket sales, and grants. The primary challenge identified was audience development beyond the well-established “Christmas at Loretto” concert, particularly for programs featuring newer or less familiar repertoire. Continued outreach, marketing, and community engagement will be important as SBCS works to broaden participation across the full season.
Grantee: Saint Mary’s College
Project: 2026 Get Inked Teen Writing Conference
Amount: $3,200.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 5/1/2026
Saint Mary’s College Department of Education and the Michiana Writers’ Center used the 2025 Spring ArtsEverywhere Grant to support Get Inked, their annual teen writing conference for students in grades 7-12, held in spring 2026 in both in-person and virtual formats. The program addressed the limited availability of writing enrichment opportunities for older teens by connecting young writers with published authors and professional presenters, while also reducing barriers through virtual participation and scholarships.
In 2026, the conference drew 132 registrants: 109 in person and 23 virtual – up from 83 total participants in 2025 and moving close to the program’s goal of 140 attendees. Participation also broadened significantly, with students representing 74 schools in 2026, compared with 47 schools in 2025 and 29 schools in 2024. Survey feedback was exceptionally strong, with all respondents rating the conference 5 out of 5 and indicating they were likely to return, suggesting the program continues to build momentum as both a regional and national model for teen writing conferences. The project also demonstrated promising higher-education impact during the 2025-2026 period: of the 83 students who attended the 2025 conference, 6 later applied and were admitted to Saint Mary’s College, and 2 enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Organizers credited expanded marketing through public radio, social media, targeted emails, alumnae outreach, and local teachers for increased attendance and stronger school partnerships. At the same time, larger group participation created logistical and financial challenges, including overnight housing and meals for visiting students and unused materials when a school group reserved spots that were not fully utilized. These issues highlighted the need for clearer planning procedures for large groups in future years, but campus partners were able to absorb added costs this cycle. The program will continue, funded through participant registrations, grants, and individual donors, and the final report suggests the conference is well-positioned for ongoing growth, with possible future additions such as a teacher-focused component.
One attendee who received a full scholarship wrote afterward that the conference helped them grow as a writer in just one day through sessions on cover design, character development, point of view, and storytelling craft, and said they felt encouraged by the welcoming environment and inspired by being surrounded by other young writers.
Grantee: South Bend Heritage Foundation
Project: Colfax Gallery 2025-2026 Season
Amount: $3,000.00
Date Approved: 06/17/2025
Final Report Submitted: 7/1/2026
South Bend Heritage received support for the Colfax Gallery 2025-2026 season, which advances the organization’s mission of community building through arts and culture. By weaving creative expression into neighborhood revitalization efforts, the Gallery supports a holistic approach to community development and expands access to the arts for residents, students, local artists, and community partners.
During the 2025-2026 season, Colfax Gallery hosted a range of exhibitions that reflected its annual programming model, including shows by local artists, a middle school student exhibition, a juried art and social justice exhibit, and a partner exhibition with a community arts group. The project exceeded its original goal of showcasing 209 artists by serving 256 artists in total. Participants included 6 local artists, more than 150 middle school students from South Bend Community School Corporation, 35 regional artists in the Art & Social Justice exhibition, 32 artists from a community arts organization, and 33 artists through the Motels 4 Now Art Workshop exhibition. The Motels 4 Now exhibition also raised more than $800 to directly support participating artists.
The project appears to have meaningfully advanced access to arts and culture in the neighborhood while exceeding its artist-participation goal. Although tracking total Gallery visitors remains difficult because the Gallery is open to the public within the larger Colfax Cultural Center, the reported artist participation, student involvement, regional reach, and direct support for artists demonstrate strong alignment with the grant purpose.
Motels 4 Now supports individuals experiencing homelessness and offers an art workshop as a creative outlet. The Colfax Gallery exhibition gave these artists an opportunity to show their work in a public setting beyond the place where it was created. One artist sold a piece that will be displayed in the lobby of the New Day Intake Center, and artists were also able to speak to attendees and share music during the showcase.
Grantee: Indiana University South Bend
Project: Civil Rights Heritage Center 2025 Exhibition Project
Amount: $2,100.00
Date Approved: 12/17/2024
Final Report Submitted: 12/18/2025
The IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center (CRHC), located in the historic 1922 Engman Public Natatorium, regularly hosts exhibitions of art and local history. Past shows include “Teresa Greve Wolf: Art that Reflects the Times, – featuring civil rights-themed works by the Chilean-born, Granger-based painter; “Ability 4,” showcasing works by community and IU South Bend student artists with disabilities; and “bi-Racial,” exploring multiple racial identities by local artist Arianna Peak. Funds will help support the Center’s three local artist exhibitions.
From February through December 2025, the CRHC presented three exhibitions: “The 27 Club” by Morgan Fleming, exploring creativity and mental health; “From Life, Our Youth” by Jessica Hightower, depicting youth experiences in a digital age; and “History | Culture | Imagination” by Federico Rodriguez, reimagining cultural symbols and everyday objects. The program reached over 2,000 individuals, including 81 attendees at opening events and 1,987 additional visitors during Center activities. Feedback from artists and guests was overwhelmingly positive, affirming the value of collaborative curation and the Center’s role in fostering dialogue through art.
Challenges included navigating Indiana University’s vendor registration process for artist honoraria, which added administrative complexity, and the time-intensive nature of the Center’s shared curation approach. While these processes required extra effort, they resulted in more meaningful interpretive labels and deeper visitor engagement. Evaluative comments highlighted the success of these strategies in creating impactful exhibitions and strengthening community connections.
The CRHC plans to continue its exhibition program into 2026-2027. Building on the successes of 2025, future exhibitions will maintain the commitment to collaborative curation and inclusive storytelling. A notable impact story includes artist Morgan Fleming, who created her artworks as a way to work through her own mental health challenges during her 27th year, underscoring the transformative power of art and community spaces.