Indianapolis, Indiana – A new collaboration between Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS), and the IPS Foundation could soon give new life to nearly 150 historic works of art long hidden from public view—while also opening new doors for student creativity across the district.
The proposal, set to go before the IPS Board of School Commissioners on October 28, seeks approval to transfer ownership of approximately 148 fine art pieces, spanning from the 1890s to the 1970s, from IPS to the IPS Foundation. Under the plan, the IPS Foundation would then sell the collection to ISMHS, which would take on the responsibility of preserving, restoring, and displaying the artwork for the public.
The collection includes paintings and other fine art pieces created by notable Indiana artists, many of which once decorated IPS schools that have since closed. For decades, the collection has been kept in permanent storage, largely unseen by the community it once enriched.
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“This proposed partnership honors our past while investing in our students’ creative futures,” IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson said. “These historic artworks reflect the deep connections between IPS and the Hoosier arts community. Thanks to this grant from Lilly Endowment, the oversight of the IPS Foundation, and the stewardship of the Indiana State Museum, these works will be preserved, shared, and used to inspire the next generation of artists and innovators in our classrooms.”
Dr. Johnson explained that while IPS has taken great care of the collection, the district lacks the space, staffing, and resources to properly conserve or display the pieces. For years, the artworks have remained stored away, limiting their educational and cultural potential.
To make the transition possible, ISMHS has secured a $1.65 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to purchase the artworks at their fair market value. The grant not only funds the acquisition but also provides support for relocating and restoring the pieces so they can be publicly exhibited once more.
Under the proposed plan, some artworks would become part of the Indiana State Museum’s permanent collection, while others would be distributed among cultural institutions and museums throughout Indiana. This decentralized approach would allow people across the state to engage with the works and appreciate the history of Indiana’s artistic legacy.
“As a statewide institution that has been heavily focused on Indiana art for more than a century, we have an opportunity to use our expertise to ensure the responsible stewardship of these artworks and to make them publicly accessible again,” said Dr. Susannah Koerber, ISMHS’ chief curator and research officer. “Through this collaboration, we can also help ensure that IPS students continue to experience art in meaningful ways.”
If approved by the IPS Board, proceeds from the sale of the collection would be used to establish a new endowed IPS Arts Enrichment Fund, managed by the IPS Foundation. The fund would directly support arts education programs across IPS schools, including field trips, visiting artist programs, arts instruction, and other enrichment opportunities for students.
The idea behind the fund is to honor the original donors’ intent—to ensure that students benefit from rich artistic experiences even as the collection itself finds a new home. In this way, the sale would not only safeguard the artworks’ future but also help foster the creative potential of generations to come.
The Indiana State Museum plans to dedicate a portion of the grant toward art conservation and restoration. Experts will spend about a year working to stabilize, clean, and prepare the pieces for exhibition. The conservation process is expected to begin in 2026, with all works placed in museums and partner institutions by early 2027.
While the plan focuses on artwork currently held in storage, district officials have confirmed that no art presently displayed in active IPS schools will be affected. The Shortridge Collection, which is already on long-term loan to the Indiana State Museum, will also remain untouched.
For both IPS and ISMHS, the collaboration represents a bridge between history and the future—an effort to connect the cultural achievements of the past with the educational mission of today’s classrooms. By moving the artworks into professional museum care, IPS ensures their long-term protection, while the new fund guarantees that students will continue to benefit from the power of artistic learning.
The proposal also highlights the community’s broader commitment to arts education at a time when creative programming often faces financial constraints. Through this initiative, IPS students could have more opportunities to engage directly with the arts—whether through museum visits, hands-on projects, or encounters with professional artists.
If approved, the project would mark one of the most significant public art preservation efforts in recent IPS history—an investment not only in maintaining Indiana’s artistic heritage but also in nurturing creativity for the next generation.
For now, all eyes turn to the October 28 IPS Board meeting, where the proposal will be formally considered. If the partnership moves forward, Indianapolis could soon see both the rebirth of a hidden art collection and a renewed commitment to arts education that reaches every corner of the district.
