10th Street Corridor Designated as an Emerging Cultural District!

We are thrilled to announce a major new initiative for the neighborhoods along the 10th Street corridor! The Little Flower Neighborhood Association (LFNA) was the successful applicant for the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) Cultural Districts Fund grant, securing the Emerging Cultural District designation for the 10th Street corridor (from N. Sherman Drive to N. Leland Avenue).

This recognition marks a pivotal moment, securing a grant dedicated to strengthening our local identity, driving community-led change, and boosting the local economy through arts and placemaking. This is a collective achievement for everyone invested in the area!

How We Got Here: The Cultural Districts Fund

This year, DMD launched a new Cultural Districts Fund, dedicating $500,000 to support cultural projects in both existing and emerging cultural districts across the city. This fund aims to encourage community events, public art, and beautification efforts to create stronger local culture and economies.

We are proud to share that LFNA was selected as the grant recipient for the "Emerging Cultural District" designation in September 2025. This designation is a formal recognition that the 10th Street corridor—the area encompassing parts of Little Flower, Grace-Tuxedo, Emerson Heights, and Community Heights—possesses distinct and valuable existing cultural assets (like the Emerson Theatre and our historic institutions) and is poised for significant, community-led growth.

While we originally applied for $45,000, we were awarded $30,000 by DMD. We have since adjusted our project scope and budget accordingly to ensure we maximize the impact of this funding across the corridor.

What Should I Know About the Project?

The core goal of this collaborative project is to transform 10th Street from a "pass-through" corridor into a true destination from N. Sherman Drive to N. Leland Avenue, benefitting all adjacent communities. This is a shared moment! The LFNA is committed to collaborating closely with our neighboring associations—Grace-Tuxedo, Emerson Heights, and Community Heights—to plant the seeds of a healthier, more vibrant, and connected community for everyone along this vital stretch.

Project Goals and Points of Emphasis:

1. Key Goals:

   • Transform 10th Street from a "pass-through" corridor into a destination, specifically from N. Sherman Drive to N. Leland Avenue

   • Bolster collaboration between our neighborhoods (Grace Tuxedo, Emerson Heights, Little Flower)

   • Plant the seeds of a healthier, more vibrant community
     

2. Points of Emphasis in Grant Application:

   • Safer, more inviting spaces for walking, biking, and gathering.

   • Showcasing local artists & entrepreneurs

   • Focus on the block between Bosart Avenue and Drexel Avenue where the Emerson Theatre is located

Proposed Scope and Budget Breakdown:

The $30,000 award is strategically allocated to maximize long-term impact:

Category	Budget Allocation	Key Components
Beautification & Placemaking	$18,800	Art installations, murals, benches, planters, trash cans, and bike racks.
Community Event	$5,500	Executing community events, such as a block party or street fair, to unveil the completed work.
Corridor Identity & Branding	$4,700	Community outreach, name/logo development, and banners along 10th Street.
Multimodal Safety & Accessibility	$1,000	Small tactical urbanism projects and "Art in the Right-of-Way."

Example of creative placemaking,  parklet in Santa Monica

Estimated Project Timeline

The project is slated to run for approximately 16 months, culminating at the end of next year.

Time Period	Milestones
Sept – Oct 2025	Submit application, selected and awarded $30,000, introductory meeting with DMD, and begin organizing within LFNA Board.
Nov 2025	Announce award to community, submit updated V2 project plan to the city, establish working committee and project leads, launch community outreach for logo/branding, and begin outreach to local artist networks.
Dec 2025 – Mar 2026	Project leads and committee develop placemaking and event plans. Establish corridor identity & brand. Formalize logo/branding. Select artist for installation/mural and secure sites. Order branded banners and placemaking elements. Begin mural painting.
April 2026	Midpoint meeting with DMD. Complete murals. Install Emerson Theatre art piece. Continue coordination for tactical urbanism project.
May – Nov 2026	Implement corridor branding (banners). Enact beautification plan. Execute community event(s) including a potential block party/street fair to unveil corridor logo and branding. Showcase completed murals and art installations.
Dec 2026	Final evaluation of outcomes. All project elements completed. Final meeting with DMD.

To ensure accountability and transparency throughout the entire process, the following activities will occur monthly:

• Community updates via neighborhood meetings, newsletters, flyers, and/or social media.

• Working committee meetings to discuss progress, stumbling blocks, and neighbor feedback.

• Monthly budget review.

• DMD updates to Nikiesha and Carmen (our project contacts).

How Can I Get Involved?

This is a community-powered project, and we need your energy and ideas to succeed!

We would love for neighbors and community members from Little Flower, Grace-Tuxedo, Emerson Heights, and Community Heights to join the working committee to help guide the identity, branding, and event planning for this shared corridor.

Please contact us to volunteer or share your vision for the 10th Street corridor! Email us at littleflowerneighborhood@gmail.com.