The Murphy Art Center, located in the Fountain Square district of downtown Indianapolis, in central Indiana, is the result of the diverse and talented individuals active in the Indianapolis art community coming together to keep art alive in the Hoosier capital. Established in 1999, the Murphy Art Center was the product of a partnership between Philip Campbell, local artist and owner of Hot House Art Gallery, and Ed Funk, owner of Dolphin Papers. Together they created “A Toy Filled Cart, LLC,” and joined with Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND) to create the Murphy Art Center.
The Center is located in the former G.C. Murphy building, built in 1895. In 1928 the Granada Theater was built to its immediate north, and in 1951 the two buildings were combined into a 44,000 square foot department store. Located on Virginia Avenue, the Murphy Art Center spans nearly a city block and allows for a wide variety of fascinating experiences, not only with the arts in Indianapolis, but also in the diverse Indianapolis culture.
The outside of the original Granada Theater is decorated with cherubs, rams’ heads and Neptunes, while the interior maintains the beautiful plasterwork that once made the theater truly spectacular. Currently home to several Indianapolis art galleries, most specializing in contemporary art by both local Indianapolis artists and national artists, the Murphy Art Center also holds 23 artist studios, art supply and gift stores, and an Italian restaurant.
As a member of the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association, the Murphy Art Center holds an open house the first Friday of each month in beautiful and arty downtown Indianapolis.
Murphy Art Center
1043 Virginia Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
317.686.0895
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