Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indianapolis Public Library has taken a major step in preserving Indiana’s cultural and artistic history with the launch of the Arts Indiana Digitization Project. This ambitious initiative brings together more than 20 years of the state’s artistic output, providing public access to a vast digital archive that chronicles Indiana’s creative landscape from 1979 to 2001. Through this project, the Library has digitized the full collection of Arts Indiana magazine, along with related publications, offering an unprecedented window into the state’s literary, performing, and visual arts.
Originally launched in 1979 as Arts Insight, the magazine evolved into Arts Indiana in 1987, concluding its print run in 2001. Over its 22-year history, the magazine became a vital platform for showcasing Indiana’s diverse artistic voices, from local literary writers and poets to performing arts groups and visual artists. Today, more than 200 issues of Arts Indiana and its associated publications have been digitized, creating a permanent resource for students, researchers, artists, and the general public.
“Any time you have a seamless 20-year continuum of information, particularly in the visual, literary, and performing arts, it creates an indispensable resource,” said Lee Alig, project initiator, project advisor, and Arts Indiana board member and contributing writer. “Just two years ago the digitization was just an idea. Being able to digitize the collection now with the guidance of The Indianapolis Public Library will insure its availability for generations.”
The newly digitized collection includes not only Arts Insight (1979–1987) and Arts Indiana (1987–2001) but also the Arts Indiana Literary Supplement (1989–1991), Arts Indiana Gallery Guide (1995–2001), Arts Indiana Performing Arts Guide (1993–2000), Arts Indiana Postcard Series (1981–1996), Poetry on the Buses (1984–1992), and The Hopewell Review (1992–1997). Together, these publications offer a comprehensive portrait of Indiana’s creative life, capturing trends, movements, and individual voices that defined the state’s artistic community over two decades.
“Everyone involved with Indiana Arts Insight, Arts Indiana, and its creative and engaging programs was essential,” stated Ann M. Stack, Arts Indiana Publisher Emerita. “We came together because the magazine—and then its programs—reflected the intelligence and diversity of Indiana’s creative community and we just knew the arts were essential to understanding the world in which we lived, lost, worked, and loved.”
Part of the Library’s broader Digital Indy initiative, the Arts Indiana Digitization Project builds on a strong history of digitization efforts. Digital Indy has already made more than 100 collections available online, working with over 60 partner organizations. Through this platform, the Library has made historic images, publications, and primary sources freely accessible, chronicling the city’s history, people, and creative life.
“It seems like everyone who was anyone in the arts community was involved with Arts Insight or Arts Indiana at some point,” said Natasha Hollenbach, digital projects manager at The Indianapolis Public Library. “The publication covered more than two decades of the arts across the state and remains an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Indiana’s arts organizations, creative communities, and individual artists. One of my favorite things about it is the intentional inclusivity—you can see the incredible diversity of media and voices represented.”
The digitized collection is now available through Digital Indy, allowing researchers, students, educators, and curious residents to explore the state’s artistic heritage from the convenience of their own devices. From poetry and literary works to visual arts and performing arts guides, the archive reflects both the historical context and the cultural vibrancy of Indiana during the late 20th century.
The Indianapolis Public Library expressed gratitude to partner organizations and contributors who made the project possible. Special thanks were given to The Indiana State Library, Newfields, and individuals who loaned material for digitization, as well as financial supporters through The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
By preserving the Arts Indiana collection, the Library ensures that Indiana’s rich creative history remains accessible to current and future generations. The digitization project highlights the value of the arts in documenting community, culture, and identity, allowing users to explore a period of artistic innovation that shaped the state’s cultural fabric.
Researchers, students, and lovers of the arts can now dive into the Arts Indiana Collection or explore the wider Digital Indy archive to discover more about Indianapolis and Indiana’s creative legacy. The project stands as a testament to the enduring importance of preserving artistic voices and the power of libraries to provide public access to cultural treasures.
