Midtown Arts District
A Future Built Through the Arts
Butler University has a rich history of making bold strides in shaping culture and community, from the groundbreaking construction of Hinkle Fieldhouse in 1928, the largest basketball arena in the country at that time, to the creation of Clowes Memorial Hall in 1963—one of the first major arts centers between New York City and Los Angeles. Now, with the Midtown Arts District, we are taking another visionary step forward in Butler’s proud legacy as a leader in arts and entertainment.
Butler’s vision for the Midtown Arts District is a transformative hub for live performances, thought-provoking lectures, stunning exhibitions, and world-class arts education. The Midtown Arts District aligns with Butler’s mission to boldly innovate and broadly educate, enriching communities and preparing all learners to lead meaningful lives. The District is designed to complement Butler’s academic mission, leveraging the strength of Butler’s venues to welcome new audiences to campus while contributing to the financial viability of the Jordan College of the Arts, the Butler Community Arts School, and other community arts organizations.
With the help of a $9 million grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, the first phase of the Midtown Arts District will involve a renovation of Clowes Memorial Hall and construction of a new, multi-purpose venue, the Whitehill Ballroom. These renovations and improvements set the stage for the $100 million Midtown Arts District on campus and beyond, with Clowes Memorial Hall serving as its centerpiece.
Future plans call for the construction of additional venues and amenities, including an outdoor plaza to the south of Clowes Memorial Hall that will allow patrons to safely mingle and queue as they prepare to enter the venues.
Part of our vision for the Midtown Arts District also includes deepening our connection and collaboration with other arts organizations in Central Indiana. An Arts Performance Fund will help offset rental costs for nonprofit arts organizations, removing one of the largest barriers—venue fees—that often prevent arts groups from accessing professional performance spaces. Furthermore, the Fund will be administered by Arts Administration students from the Jordan College of the Arts, providing a key experiential learning opportunity for JCA students as they gain hands-on experience in grantmaking from proposal through adjudication.
With its expanded menu of venues and its location on the campus of a nationally recognized University, Butler’s Midtown Arts District will be uniquely positioned to serve as a true cultural anchor in Indianapolis, setting the stage for future partnerships and growth for years to come as we pursue our mission of enriching communities.