Broad Ripple Art Fair: Showcasing Creativity in Indianapolis

The Broad Ripple Art Fair is one of the year’s top attractions in Indianapolis. The fair originated in 1971, and it is now the largest fundraiser event for the Indianapolis Art Center, attracting over 25,000 participants and guests during the two-day Indianapolis fair. The main event, among many other enlightening things to do during the festivities, is the Broad Ripple ArtFairitself, a juried competition that attracts a virtual who’s who of the Indianapolis arts community.

Art Center entrance in Broad Ripple on the north side of Indianapolis, Indiana
Art Center entrance in Broad Ripple on the north side of Indianapolis, Indiana

Artists competing in the Fair are screened to ensure across-the-board quality. Well before the event, artists must participate in a qualifier event done by reviewing digital images. Artists who make it past this hurdle go on to compete in the Broad Ripple Art Fair for a total prize of $2,000.

Still going strong after almost 40 years, the Broad Ripple Art Fair hosts booths, stands, Indianapolis restaurants, Indianapolis bars, live entertainment, organizations and artists from Indianapolis and across North America. All weekend long, there are live shows and Indianapolis music at the Frank M. Basile Auditorium and on the various stages erected for this big event.

Exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center Art Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana
Exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center Art Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana

The location of the Broad Ripple Art Fair is in Indy’s famous ARTSPARK, which contains the Indianapolis Art Center. ARTSPARK sprawls over twelve acres of park land and attracts a constant stream of visual and performance artists throughout the year to share their muse with Indianapolis residents and visitors. The Broad Ripple Art Fair also spreads out into the attached North Side Optimist Opti-Park.

Glass exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center Art Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana
Glass exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center Art Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana

Over the years, organizers have perfected the manner in which they entertain and nourish attendees. There are two gourmet food courts, centers for dozens of Indianapolis restaurant vendors to ply their delicious wares, two wine and beer gardens, and various food stands for further refreshment.

There are five different areas for artists to show their crafts and Indianapolis art. You might see a great collection of hand-painted dishes at one end of the Fair and hear a famous opera singer at another; there’s enough variety here that you’ll always be able to find something different.

For Indianapolis kids, there’s a creativity tent called “Kids’ World”, where kids can get in touch with and celebrate their own creativity, and a Kids’ Stage with entertainment all weekend long geared toward the younger set.

The Broad Ripple Art Fair was developed to showcase and encourage art and to involve the public. With 30,000 visitors a year to the distinctive Broad Ripple Cultural District, it has handily met and surpassed that goal.

Indianapolis Art Center
820 E 67th St
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317.255.2464

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