As the Big Car Collaborative nears the May opening of its 40,000-square-foot, the Near Southside organization has launched a new identity for its cultural campus: the Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis — or CAMi for short.
CAMi is a five-acre campus with two historic industrial buildings (including one Big Car has operated as Tube Factory artspace since 2016), a sculpture park, and 18 affordable homes for artists. This is all located on one city block in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
As noted in the current edition of Urban Times, the new CAMi main building — made possible by the generosity of many supporters — will include six additional galleries for commissioned exhibits by artists from Indianapolis and around the world, a performing arts space, a culinary arts area, studios for artists, and storefronts for creative businesses. While Big Car has the funds to complete work, Big Car Executive Director Jim Walker said fund-raising continues to avoid carrying debt on the $7 million renovation project. “Our goal is to raise an additional $1.7 million toward the CAMi main building’s costs,” Walker said.
Visit camindy.org to learn more, make a donation, or apply for an artist studio or storefront. “We’re thrilled to bring this major project with regional impact to Central Indiana and appreciate all of the support and encouragement we’ve received so far,” Walker added. For more information, email info@bigcar.org with questions about supporting the project or any other inquiries.
