P h a S e 1 e x P L o r i n g a n D L e a r n i n g get to know the place: Best case

is the artists leading the work live in the area. Even if we do before projects start we repeatedly drive, bike, and walk the area; photograph and map it; attend existing meetings and events; research history, demographics, and other data.

Connect and communicate: We meet with and survey residents, stakeholders and other potential collaborators; listen to and note their larger, abstract wishes.

P h a S e 2 g i v i n g a n D D e m o n S t r at i n g offering the gift of good design:

As a way to begin our relationship in a positive way, we start to give the neighborhood gifts of graphic design, marketing support, documentation, and other skills we have to offer.

Participate in planning, visioning, and organizing: Once were part of the neighborhoods leadership team, we contribute to the planning process with input and ideas and as project managers, grant writers, fundraisers, communicators, community organizers, and artists skilled at public engagement.

intervention and demonstration: Using tools of tactical urbanism, we help the neighborhood see (and show others) how their ideas have moved from abstract to concrete. And how future, long-term projects may or may not work.

An important aspect of the demonstration phase is creating bonds between people by doing physical work together. This builds trust and connections that simply meeting and talking can never build.

P h a S e 3 m a k i n g a n D S u S ta i n i n g Doing the work: We collaborate with

residents, stakeholders, local and out-of-town artists, and other cultural partners to maintain and develop successful projects and programs all dedicated to the goal of using art and culture to help build a stronger community from within.

evaluation and revision: Part of all three phases, we work with our collaborators (neighbors and partners) and examine whats working and whats not and revise the approach along the way. All projects and programs remain flexible and organic.

Our muLti-phaSe apprOach (We are currently transitioning from Phase 2 to Phase 3 in Lafayette Square)

615 N. Alabama #119 | Indianapolis, IN 46204 | www.bigcar.org

Visitors look at stories and photos of their Lafayette Square neighbors at the Square Share exhibit

Pa S tWith residents and other stakeholders, helped facilitate

planning sessions for reimagining the area

Organized and presented Learning About the World at the Grocery Store with internationally known artist Harrell Fletcher at Saraga International Market

Designed and completed, with resident input, a volunteer-created gateway mural

Created two murals at Service Center as part of the 46 for 46 Super Bowl Mural Project

Brought positive media attention the neighborhood with regular national and local coverage (online, print, television)

Served on the board of the neighborhood nonprofit organization and staffers continue as committee members

Designed and donated new logos for the neighborhood

Created two editions of a widely distributed neighborhood food guide

With the help of 1,000-plus volunteers, built out Service Center outdoor Art Farm area with raised-bed garden on top of the front parking lot, chicken coop, furniture created from reclaimed honeysuckle from nearby Little Eagle Creek, a colorful art installation, and artist-designed picnic, play, and visiting areas

Transformed the inside waiting area into a meeting and learning room; installed a library and computer bar; built a stage, kitchen, indoor soccer field, and screen print room in the garage bays

Celebrated international cultures through 3 nights of high-profile parties in conjunction with Super Bowl celebrations

Interviewed and engaged 500 neighborhood residents with Square Share, a socially engaged art project that paired artists and neighbors to describe and visualize peoples favorite objects and biggest wishes

Hosted Neighborday featuring a kite flying festival and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballards bike ride around the area with more than 400 participants

Collaborated with Gambold Prep high school and artist Ben Valentine to create an international-themed collage displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport (now on display at Service Center)

Hosted exhibits at Service Center including a retrospective of Found Magazine finds, interactive work by Nat Russell, and several other neighborhood-based projects

Supported a neighborhood parade/festival of ethnic food

Helped an organization serving immigrants and refugees start a community garden also on the mall property

P r e S e n tHosting regular art exhibits, meetings, events, and other

programs at Service Center, which is open regular walk-in hours and for special events

Serving as a home for Trade School Indy, a community-driven adult-education program in which instructors teach classes in trade for things students offer them

Planning a walking program to using the Walk Your City signage platform to encourage neighbors to walk and bike more

Planning an exploratory walk from Service Center to Georgetown Market

Working directly with the City to improve the vitality of the commercial district, including helping with plans for opening a new cultural/arts center

Reaching out to business owners to collaborate on a photography project and survey them about how we can better connect with the neighborhood

Leading Little Eagle Creek Reconnecting to Our Waterways planning

Planning with artist Mary Miss to connect Service Center to a large, citywide project funded by the National Science Foundation called MUSE

Participating in the planning process for the Purple Line bus rapid transit on 38th Street

Planning for weekly summer mobile art program that takes teaching artists in our vehicle to apartment complexes in tandem with the public librarys bookmobile

Developing program to open up screen print shop and our developing wood shop to artists in a cooperative way

f u t u r eCreate an artist-in-residence program for the area

Open a long-term, artist-owned-and-operated live-work arts space in the neighborhood with shared resources and spaces for artists and arts organizations

Bring in Montreal street artist Peter Gibson to complete and facilitate intersection and street paintings, including working with neighborhood volunteers

Create engaging art experiences to outdoor areas at Service Center and elsewhere near the mall, Little Eagle Creek, and nearby Bowman Park

Support theater, live music and other events at Service Center

Travel our mobile DoSeum around the neighborhood on a regular basis, making stops outside of schools, grocery stores and other busy areas, providing creative fun for people who speak English and Spanish

Our WOrk in Lafayette SquarePast, present and future

615 N. Alabama #119 | Indianapolis, IN 46204 | www.bigcar.org