Cultural Arts Pavillion - IBE Summer Celebration

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July 17-19, 2026

Cultural Arts Pavilion

A Century of Making: Celebrating 100 Years of Recognizing Our History

Indiana Black Expo’s Cultural Arts Pavilion invites visual and performing artists to be part of a powerful and commemorative experience honoring a century of impact, creativity, and cultural legacy. This year’s theme, “A Century of Making: Celebrating 100 Years of Recognizing Our History,” will feature a dynamic Art Exhibition that reflects on the people, moments, and movements that have shaped our communities and defined our collective story.

The exhibition will spotlight artists, visionaries, and changemakers whose work honors the past while inspiring the future, highlighting resilience, innovation, and the enduring contributions of Black creatives across generations. Through compelling visual art and captivating performances, attendees will experience storytelling that bridges history, culture, and artistic expression.

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of making history, amplifying voices, and honoring the transformative power of art within our community and beyond.

Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Indiana Convention Center, Rooms 136 – 138 (Gallery)
Partners: Harrison Center, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Newfields, Indiana Historical Society, Indiana African-American Genealogy Group
Sponsors: Indy Arts Council, Penrod Society, Arthur Jordan Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, Noyes Foundation

man finger painting at cultural arts pavilion event

2026 Indiana Black Expo Cultural Arts Pavilion

Call for Artists & Performers: A Century of Making: Celebrating a 100 Years of Recognizing our History

The Cultural Arts Pavilion, alongside The Arts Speaks Cafe, is where local and national artists and authors can exhibit their work, sharing the depth of African American creativity with attendees through live music, spoken word performances, and interactive sessions. This pavilion is part of a broader effort to celebrate Black culture, excellence, and community development, featuring engaging events such interactive exhibits on dance, music, acting, and more, aimed at both youth and families.

When: July 17-19, 2026
Where: Indiana Convention Center
Cost: Free

Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Indiana Convention Center, Rooms 134-135
Partners: Harrison Center, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Newfields, Indiana Historical Society, Indiana African-American Genealogy Group
Sponsors: Indy Arts Council, Penrod Society, Arthur Jordan Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, Noyes Foundation
Partner: BOXX the Artist
Sponsors: Indy Arts Council, Penrod Society, Arthur Jordan Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, Noyes Foundation

Art Speaks Cafe

Call for Artists & Performers: A Century of Making: Celebrating a 100 Years of Recognizing our History

Step into the heart of creativity at the Art Speaks Café, where culture, conversation, and community come alive in celebration of A Century of Making. This vibrant space takes center stage as a dynamic community activation, featuring live local performances, powerful showcases, engaging presentations, and intimate book talks with rising and acclaimed authors exploring the depth and diversity of the African American experience through the arts.

Unleash your creativity at the Sneaker Bar and design your own custom sneakers using paint, stencils, and guidance from talented local artists. Free for the first 100 participants, all materials included. No experience needed, just bring your imagination and leave with a one-of-a-kind, wearable work of art.

Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and create the future, one story, one voice, and one masterpiece at a time.

Art Exhibition: Visual Artists
We seek visual artists, including painters, photographers, mixed-media creators, and more, to showcase work that reflects themes of resilience, excellence, and the cultural impact of women in sports and the arts.

Art Speaks Café
Artists, performers, and creatives can also sign up for Art Speaks Café, a live activation space featuring spoken word, poetry, music, authors, speakers, presenters, podcasters, and more. This is an opportunity for local and regional acts to share their voices and talents with a national audience during the Summer Celebration #AllStarEdition.

Eligibility:
– Be able to commit to the 3-day installation, including pickup & drop off
– Works that center our theme “A Century of Making: Celebrating a 100 Years of Recognizing our History”
– Wired & hang-ready pieces (must be wired)
– 18 years or older, permission from a parent or guardian (youth Installations & performers are accepted)
– Any works or performances must be appropriate for a family-friend audience