The Fishers Arts Council partners with local organizations, artists, performers, students, and others for arts and culture occasions that enhance our vibrant city. Its mission as a nonprofit is to support, advocate and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities that educate, enhance and/or enrich the lives of those who live, work and visit Fishers, Indiana. The goals of the group of Fishers residents are to grow the Fishers Arts Council and the Fishers arts community, educate about the value of arts within Fishers, cultivate programs for the community, and advocate for arts and culture providers, consumers, and patrons. Through its efforts, we have seen a significant increase in the appreciation and participation in the arts within our community.
Executive Director Les Reinhardt says the Fishers Arts Council meets these goals by hosting events showcasing different types of artists, and maintaining and expanding two art galleries in Fishers.
“We’ve been managing the art gallery in City Hall [now called Fishers Municipal Center] since 2012 to provide the opportunity for visual artists as well as enrichment for the community who come to see it,” Reinhardt says. “We hold monthly receptions to celebrate those exhibits. We also manage a space within the Hamilton County Community Foundation inside their collaboration hub to provide more opportunities for the community and hold events quarterly. We hire live musicians for our events to promote the performing arts. We also run a variety of art fairs throughout the course of the year.”
Upcoming winter events include the highly anticipated Winter Arts Market at Sun King at The Yard at Fishers District on select dates in December. Reinhardt says the market, a product of a partnership with Fishers District, which hosts holiday open houses throughout the holidays, was a hit last year. Together they bring in artisans to sell their wares directly. Guests are invited to meet Santa before heading upstairs to the market, making it a truly inclusive event for all.
In 2021 the Fishers Arts Council introduced Second Fridays, a free all-ages event held in the gallery. Each month live music and exhibits are featured, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work. A board member conducts an insightful interview with the artist on display, delving into their creative process and what inspires them, offering a unique educational experience for all attendees.
Fishers residents can lend their financial support or choose to volunteer to support the Fishers Arts Council’s mission. Donations can be made in one of two ways: as a supporting member or as a one-time donation. Becoming a supporting member is easy. Simply visit the Fishers Arts Council website and choose a tiered level of monetary obligation that best fits your budget. If you prefer to make a one-time donation, you can do so directly on the website as well.
“Volunteers are always needed for our events,” Reinhardt says. “We have volunteers present at art fairs and our monthly gallery receptions, as well as to install and change over our galleries. Volunteers can be involved as much or as little as they would like. There are also some behind-the-scenes-type opportunities as well.”
