Wait... what's happening?
The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) announced this week that it will unite the diverse elements of its 152-acre campus—the IMA, The Garden, Lilly House, performance spaces and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres—into a holistic cultural campus called Newfields.
Newfields is the name of the entire 152-acre campus, which has never had an actual name until now. The Indianapolis Museum of Art, Lilly House, The Garden, and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres will all still exist as key attractions at Newfields.
Why's it called Newfields?
The name Newfields is a celebration of the IMA's past and a commitment to its future. It is because of the Lilly family’s generous donation of the Oldfields estate 50 years ago, and generations of dedicated supporters, that the museum and campus has become the cultural institution we find there today. Newfields is a nod to the IMA's legacy, but also a commitment to explore new fields of study, pursue new fields of inquiry, and to continually expand the experiences available to our community.
The phrase “A Place for Nature and the Arts” builds on the IMA's strength as an exceptional art institution, and signifies change as they embrace all of their assets—from performance spaces to The Garden and The Park.
Did anything actually change?
Not really. But this naming process, which included a two-year research and development phase, was underwritten by a generous gift from Lilly Endowment, Inc., received in 2015. That's when the Board of Governors refocused the IMA’s mission to emphasize impacting lives through exceptional experiences with art and nature, and approved a new ten-year strategic plan. So, really—they've really only just begun.
What's Next?
Lots of stuff.
Director’s Choice: Gifts of Art 2017 (opening Sept. 29)
Curated by Venable, the new annual exhibition will include many works of art on view for the first time, including paintings, sculptures and fashion design, emphasizing the IMA’s broad collection of art across history and disciplines, and the generosity of its donors.
James Rosenquist (American, 1933–2017), Flamingo Capsule, 1973
ink on white Arches paper, color lithograph and screen print
City as Canvas: New York City Graffiti from the 70s & 80s (opening Oct. 7)
Developed in collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York, this exhibition will feature more than 100 works from the Martin Wong Collection and chronicles the origins of graffiti and its evolution from a creative outlet to an accepted form of art. Events surrounding this exhibition will include a concert by hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh; a panel with artists featured in the exhibition; a themed Family Day; and film screenings of Wild Style and Fresh Dressed.
SaneSmith, Sane Rock, ca. 1990, ink on paper
Portraits of Our City (opening Oct. 27)
This photography exhibition will celebrate the culture of Indianapolis. This summer, the IMA’s photography team traveled the city to capture portraits of local residents and ask them a simple question: where would you like to wake up tomorrow? The recording of their answers and their portraits will be featured in the exhibition, produced in partnership with WFYI-FM.
Winterlights (Nov. 19 through Jan. 7)
This expanded holiday experience and new annual tradition will run nightly (except Mondays), offering a dazzling nighttime experience: a magical stroll through The Garden, illuminated by one million lights. Included in the multi-sensory, strolling experience is a choreographed light show on the Lilly House lawn, food and drink stations, fire pits for roasting s’mores and seasonal music. The experience will continue the beloved Christmas at Lilly House tradition with holiday décor throughout the historic mansion, and Karl Unnasch’s 50-foot-tall tree of toys—Playtime in Indy—will return in a new location. Tickets go on sale early October, and discounts are available for tickets purchased online.
