Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS), and the IPS Foundation have announced a proposed collaboration aimed at preserving nearly 150 pieces of historic artwork from the district’s collection and expanding arts education for students.

Under the proposal, IPS plans to transfer ownership of these artworks, which are currently held in permanent storage, to the IPS Foundation. The Indiana State Museum would then purchase them from the foundation using a $1.65 million grant provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. The museum would take responsibility for relocating and restoring the pieces, with some joining its permanent collection while others would be distributed to museums and cultural institutions throughout Indiana.

The IPS Board of Commissioners is scheduled to review this plan at its meeting on October 28. If approved, proceeds from the sale will be used to establish an endowed IPS Arts Enrichment Fund managed by the IPS Foundation. This fund will support arts instruction, enrichment activities, field trips, and visiting artist programs across IPS schools in line with donors’ original intentions.

“This proposed partnership honors our past while investing in our students’ creative futures,” said Dr. Aleesia Johnson, Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools. “These historic artworks reflect the deep connections between IPS and the Hoosier arts community. Thanks to this grant from Lilly Endowment, the oversight of the IPS Foundation, and the stewardship of the Indiana State Museum, these works will be preserved, shared, and used to inspire the next generation of artists and innovators in our classrooms.”

Dr. Johnson also noted that although IPS has cared for these artworks over time, it does not have sufficient space or resources for their proper preservation or display.

The collection consists of 148 works created between the 1890s and 1970s by notable Indiana artists; many were originally displayed in schools that are now closed.

A portion of ISMHS’s grant is allocated specifically for conservation efforts ahead of public exhibition. The museum expects conservation work to last about one year before distributing pieces among Indiana organizations beginning in 2026; full placement is anticipated by early 2027.

“As a statewide institution that has been heavily focused on Indiana art for more than a century, we have an opportunity to use our expertise to ensure the responsible stewardship of these artworks and to make them publicly accessible again,” said Dr. Susannah Koerber, chief curator and research officer at ISMHS. “Through this collaboration, we can also help ensure that IPS students continue to experience art in meaningful ways.”

Officials emphasized that no artwork currently displayed in open schools will be affected by this project; only items kept in storage are included. The Shortridge Collection—currently on long-term loan—is excluded from this initiative.