INDIANAPOLIS (May 7, 2025) – Penrod, an Indianapolis-based, all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to support arts, cultural, and educational activities and institutions in Indiana, continues to drive impact within the Central Indiana arts scene. Through their annual grant program, Penrod today announces it has awarded $304,500 to 85+ central Indiana organizations, including Tindley Accelerated Schools, Jameson Camp, Riley Hospital for Children – Riley Art Therapy Program, Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, and more.
While widely known for the Penrod Arts Fair each September – also known as “Indiana’s Nicest Day” – The Penrod Society goes beyond this annual event by awarding grants to Indiana arts, cultural, and educational organizations with a focus on underrepresented and underserved arts communities. 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.
Grant recipients were chosen following an open call for entries in December 2024 and a formal grant application process that closed at the end of February. Penrod ensures those awarded grants align with Penrod’s overall mission to improve the community through the arts. The most recent cohort of grant recipients included 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.
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.
“Penrod is honored to support so many organizations and their missions to share and grow the arts in central Indiana communities,” said Ryan Stephens, Chair of the 2025 Penrod Arts Fair. “We understand the significance of our events and these grants as they allow us to extend our impact beyond our events, and help improve our community through the arts.”
For more information about Penrod and the annual grant program, visit penrod.org.
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About The Penrod Society
The Penrod Society is an Indianapolis-based, all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to support arts, cultural, and educational activities and institutions in Indiana. The Society supports artists, students, arts organizations, and various other not-for-profit organizations whose missions and programming include arts, cultural, and educational activities. At its core, the Society is a fellowship of professionals who work together for the betterment of Indiana. For more information, visit https://www.penrod.org/.
