The Arts Council of Indianapolis will celebrate Black History Month with a series of free, daily performances and not-to-be-missed events at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. This is the 23rd year of the celebration, known as Art & Soul, which will run from February 2 – 28.  

Shamira Wilson, featured artist at this year’s celebration, previews this year’s festivities, including an African drum procession, a youth choral performance, Indianapolis Living Legends: Men in the Fire and Sandy Lomax, singing of the Black National Anthem, an inspirational dance performance by Kenyetta Dance Company, and performances by this year’s four featured artists: Allison Victoria (voice), Lalah Hazelwood (dance), Joshua Thompson (piano) and Shamira Wilson (visual).

This year’s theme, Black Migrations and Urban Realities, draws inspiration from the 2019 national theme for Black History Month, Black Migrations, with the expansion into Urban Realities to emphasize social realities and the movement of African American people from the South to new urban destinations in the North.

Art & Soul will continue throughout February with numerous performances at the Artsgarden. Performances are free and open to the public and begin at 12:15 daily. The Arts Council hopes that Art & Soul will serve as the start of a year-long celebration of African American history and culture among Indianapolis artists and arts organizations. 

Art & Soul is hosted by the Arts Council of Indianapolis with generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc. To develop the theme and roster of acts for the 2019 Art & Soul, the Arts Council partners with Keesha Dixon, Asante Children’s Theatre; Rob Dixon, Indy Jazz Fest; Nick Owens, Nicholas Owens Dance Company; and Krystle Ford, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra to plan and present Art & Soul at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. Art & Soul has become a highly anticipated annual tradition in Indiana dating back to 1996.

Art & Soul at the Artsgarden
The Indianapolis Artsgarden is owned and operated by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, located above the intersection of Washington and Illinois Streets. All Art & Soul events are free and open to the public and start at 12:15 pm.

About the Arts Council of Indianapolis
The Arts Council is an organization that advocates for the need and importance of broad community funding and support for a thriving arts scene; connects artists, audiences, businesses, foundations, and arts and cultural organizations with opportunities to expand central Indiana’s creative vitality; and innovates by constantly pursuing and promoting programs that catalyze creative growth in central Indiana. 

The Arts Council owns and operates two performance and exhibition spaces, the Indianapolis Artsgarden (attached to Circle Centre Mall) and Gallery 924 (at 924 N. Pennsylvania Street). The Arts Council allocates public funding to arts and cultural organizations through a competitive grant program; offers fellowship opportunities including the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, the Transformational Impact Fellowship, the Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship, and the DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award; provides programs, services, and technical assistance for artists and arts organizations; and manages the city’s public art program including the new Public Art for Neighborhoods initiative. The Indy Arts Guide provides a comprehensive arts calendar featuring thousands of events, performances, and exhibitions throughout central Indiana. 

Connect with the Arts Council of Indianapolis on Facebook (@indyarts), Twitter and Instagram (@artscouncilindy), and online at indyarts.org.