Indianapolis, Indiana – A new wave of creativity is rolling through Indianapolis as local students are given extra time to bring their artistic ideas to life.
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis and IndyGo have extended the submission deadline for their Design-A-Bus student art contest, offering Marion County teens until March 27 to submit their original creations.
With many schools approaching spring break, organizers say the additional time allows young artists a better chance to refine their work and share their vision for a project called “Art That Moves Indy.”
The initiative invites students between the ages of 13 and 18 who attend middle or high school in Marion County to design artwork that captures the spirit of movement, creativity, and community. The selected design will not remain confined to a gallery wall. Instead, it will be transformed into a vibrant bus wrap displayed across an IndyGo vehicle traveling throughout Indianapolis from early May through early July 2026.
The project is the result of a collaboration between Ivy Tech Indianapolis, IndyGo, and Adsposure. Together, the partners hope to merge art, education, and public transportation in a way that highlights the imagination of young people while placing their work directly into the rhythm of everyday city life.
Dr. Stacy Atkinson, interim provost and former chancellor of Ivy Tech Indianapolis, said the contest is about recognizing the role students play in shaping their communities. She noted that creativity developed in classrooms can have a broader impact when it is shared publicly, inspiring others and adding energy to the city itself.
IndyGo leaders see the project as a natural extension of the transit system’s mission to connect people and opportunities. Jennifer Pyrz, president and chief executive officer of IndyGo, explained that public transit not only moves residents from place to place but also shapes what people see and experience along their journeys.
By placing student artwork on a city bus, the contest allows young creators to tell their stories while becoming part of Indianapolis’ daily landscape.
Entries for the contest have been accepted since February 3, and submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges representing Ivy Tech Indianapolis, IndyGo, Adsposure, and members of the community. The winning design will be announced in early April, followed by a public unveiling of the completed bus wrap in early May before it begins its citywide tour.
Students interested in participating can review contest guidelines, download templates, and submit their artwork through the official contest page at https://bit.ly/DESIGN-A-BUS, where a direct entry form is also available.
