The Creative Convergence program is a training and grant program designed to help community leaders, organizational representatives, and artists/creatives better understand:
how to embed arts and creativity in community, economic planning and solutions;
how to work collaboratively across sectors; and
how to effectively engage their community.
Creative Convergence is presented in partnership with the Indiana Communities Institute of Ball State University. The Indiana Communities Institute (ICI) brings together top research and outreach activities to assist communities as they strive to improve life experiences for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Piloted in 2023 and launched in 2024, Creative Convergence is an outgrowth of a research study released by ICI in 2022. “Planning with Arts & Culture” examined how Indiana municipalities were utilizing local arts and culture in their community and economic strategies. Key amongst the findings was the expressed need for support in identifying and leveraging the creative sector to improve quality of life for all.
The Creative Convergence program consists of a two-day, in-person training and the opportunity to apply for a Creative Convergence Early Action grant. The training focuses on how to embed arts and creativity in community and economic planning and solutions, how to work collaboratively across sectors, and how to effectively engage with community. The grant program is designed to allow communities to apply the learnings from the workshop to a project that benefits creatives and the community and offers awards of up to $10,000.