Outreach Indiana Receives Indiana Arts Commission Grant for "Portraits of Champions" Art Exhibit
We are excited to announce that we have received a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC). This grant will support the "Portraits of Champions" gallery, a special art exhibit featuring portraits created by youth and young adults who are part of the Outreach community. The exhibit is led by Boxx The Artist, a well-known local artist.
The "Portraits of Champions" gallery showcases the strength and stories of youth experiencing homelessness through their own artwork. Over six weeks, these young people have been working with Boxx The Artist and other local artists to create their portraits. These portraits reflect their personal journeys and will be displayed at Outreach Indiana's 2024 Transform Event on Thursday, September 12th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Crane Bay Event Center.
“This grant from the Indiana Arts Commission allows us to share the stories of the young people we serve in a way that connects with the community,” said Andrew Neal, Chief Executive Officer of Outreach Indiana. “At Outreach, we focus on building relationships because we know that’s how real change happens. The ‘Portraits of Champions’ gallery is a chance for our youth to be seen and heard. We’re thankful to the IAC for helping us bring this project to life and support our mission to end youth homelessness.”
Boxx The Artist, an Indianapolis-based artist known for her work highlighting the African Diaspora and local communities, shared her thoughts on the project. “Art is a way to tell stories, and I’m grateful to be part of the ‘Portraits of Champions’ gallery,” said Boxx. “These young people have created something meaningful through their portraits, and I’m excited to see their work shared with others. This exhibit isn’t just about art—it’s about connection and understanding.”
The Indiana Arts Commission’s support emphasizes the role of arts and creativity in bringing people together. “All across Indiana, we’ve seen how investing in arts and creativity improves the quality of life,” said Anne Penny Valentine, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The projects and organizations chosen for funding are doing great work in their communities, and we’re honored to support them.”
Funding for the Indiana Arts Commission and its programs is provided by the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.