More than $5.5 million in grants supporting the arts distributed since 1967
INDIANAPOLIS (April 1, 2026) – Penrod, an Indianapolis-based, all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to support arts and cultural initiatives and organizations in central Indiana, today announced it awarded $315,000 to 90+ Indiana arts organizations for 2026, including Riley Children’s Art Therapy Program, ArtMix, St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center, Big Car Collaborative, and more, through their annual grant program.
In 2025, grant applications increased by 30%, while total funding requested rose by 60%, underscoring the pivotal role Penrod plays in supporting the arts community in central Indiana. Grant recipients were chosen following an open call for entries in December 2025 and a formal grant application process that closed at the end of February. Penrod’s team gathered, reviewed, and selected the grant recipients from there, ensuring those awarded grants align with Penrod’s overall mission to improve the community through the arts.
The most recent cohort of grant recipients covers over 50 zip codes including youth arts education programs, museums and theaters, cultural festivals and heritage groups, public art and placemaking, and other nonprofit organizations focused on expanding access to the arts. Grants are funded by sponsorships, donations, and 100% of the proceeds from annual events, including the Penrod Arts Fair, Evening with Penrod, and Easel by Penrod.
“We’re proud to continue making a meaningful impact in Indiana’s arts community,” said Tom Askey, Chair of the 2026 Penrod Arts Fair. “Our events make this support possible, helping uplift local organizations and expand access to the arts, especially at a time when many arts programs continue to face funding gaps.”
In addition to their annual grant process, the organization made its first-ever allocation from their Legacy Fund in 2025, awarding more than $100,000 to support public art projects. Since Penrod’s founding in 1967, the nonprofit has distributed more than $5.5 million in grants to deserving art and art-adjacent organizations creating an impact in central Indiana.
For more information about Penrod and the annual grant program, visit penrod.org.
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About Penrod
Penrod is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Indianapolis with a mission to support arts and cultural initiatives and organizations in central Indiana. Penrod is led by members of The Penrod Society, a fellowship of professionals who dedicate time to uplifting the community through art. The organization is well-known for its signature event, the Penrod Arts Fair, the largest single-day art fair in the country. For more information on Penrod’s events and philanthropic initiatives, visit www.penrod.org.
