Midtown Arts District

The Midtown Arts District is a key part of the Butler Gateway Project, the University’s master plan to create a vibrant, interconnected community between Butler University and Midtown Indianapolis. Thanks to a $9 million grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, the Butler Arts & Events Center is able to begin construction of a new, multi-purpose venue, the Allen Whitehill Clowes Ballroom; as well as, a modernization project of Clowes Memorial Hall that includes expanded and renovated bathrooms, balcony seating expansions and the inclusion of open air suites, and state-of-the art tech and stage improvements. 

 The renovations made possible by the grant set the stage for a $100 million Midtown Arts District on campus and beyond, with Clowes Memorial Hall serving as its centerpiece. Butler President James Danko envisions the Midtown Arts District becoming a transformative hub for live performances, thought-provoking lectures, stunning exhibitions, and world-class arts education. 

 Future plans call for the construction of additional venues and amenities, including a multi-purpose convention center, which will maximize the potential of the previously announced Curio Hotel by Hilton that is expected to open on campus in 2027. Plans also call for the creation of 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. Additionally, a new fund will be established to 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. This initiative will further strengthen Midtown’s reputation as a vibrant hub for arts and entertainment, providing crucial support to the local arts community and ensuring that diverse cultural expressions can thrive in our campus venues.

 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.