Indianapolis, Indiana – Art, education, and public transit are coming together in a new way in Indianapolis as Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis and IndyGo unveil a citywide student art contest that will turn a public bus into a moving work of art. Partnering with Adsposure, the two organizations are inviting young artists to help reimagine how creativity can travel through the city.
The Design-A-Bus Student Art Contest is built around a simple but powerful idea: give students a chance to share their creativity beyond classroom walls. The winning artwork will be transformed into a full IndyGo bus wrap, traveling across Indianapolis from late April through late June 2026. For three months, the selected design will roll through neighborhoods, downtown corridors, and major routes, offering a daily reminder of the role art and education play in shaping community life.
The contest is open to students ages 13 to 18 who attend middle or high school in Marion County. Participants are asked to submit original artwork inspired by the theme “Art That Moves Indy,” which encourages students to explore ideas of movement, creativity, and community. Organizers say the theme leaves room for wide interpretation, allowing students to reflect their own experiences, neighborhoods, and hopes for the city.
“This collaboration is about more than art—it’s about celebrating education, imagination, and the role students play in shaping our community,” said Dr. Stacy Atkinson, chancellor of Ivy Tech Indianapolis. “Students’ creativity shouldn’t just stay in the classroom—it’s something that moves our city forward.”
For Ivy Tech Indianapolis, the contest reflects a broader commitment to connecting education with real-world opportunities. By placing student artwork in a highly visible public space, the college hopes to show young people that their voices and ideas matter, and that creative expression can have a lasting impact beyond school projects or assignments.
IndyGo also views the partnership as a natural extension of its mission. As the city’s public transportation provider, IndyGo moves thousands of riders each day, connecting them to jobs, schools, healthcare, and community spaces. Turning one of its buses into a canvas allows transit to serve not just as a means of travel, but as a platform for storytelling and shared identity.
“Transit unlocks doors and increases access to our communities, enhancing how we move around and the things we see along the way,” said IndyGo President and CEO Jennifer Pyrz. “This partnership with Ivy Tech is opening a unique way for students to interact with transit, giving them a chance to leave a mark—literally—on the streets of Indianapolis while sharing their stories through art in motion.”
Students interested in participating can submit their designs between February 3 and March 13, 2026. Contest rules, design templates, and the submission form are available online, making it easy for students to take part regardless of their school or art background. Organizers encourage bold ideas, clear visuals, and artwork that captures the energy of Indianapolis.
Once submissions close, a panel of judges representing Ivy Tech Indianapolis, IndyGo, Adsposure, and the local community will review the entries. The winning design will be selected in late March 2026. After that, the artwork will be professionally adapted to fit the size and shape of an IndyGo bus, ensuring the student’s vision translates effectively from paper or screen to a large-scale moving display.
The completed bus wrap will be revealed during a public event in late April 2026 before beginning its three-month journey across the city. Organizers say the unveiling will celebrate not just the winning student, but all participants who took part in the creative process.
Adsposure, which specializes in transit advertising and large-scale displays, is playing a key role in bringing the project to life.
“Adsposure is delighted to partner with Ivy Tech Community College and IndyGo to help showcase our local artists and their creative talents. We can’t think of a better way to display the winning design than on a rolling 40′ billboard through the Indianapolis community!” said Joe Jarrell, Adsposure Media Executive.
For students, the contest offers more than recognition. It provides experience with public art, professional presentation, and creative collaboration. For the city, it turns an everyday commute into an opportunity for inspiration.
As the Design-A-Bus contest rolls forward, Ivy Tech Indianapolis and IndyGo hope it sparks imagination, encourages artistic confidence, and reminds residents that creativity is always moving—sometimes right past the bus stop.
