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Han Museum asks Tippecanoe County for $15,000 inkeepers-tax grant to fund downtown exhibits and symposium
Summary
The Han Museum of Indiana Art requested $15,000 in innkeepers-tax funds to support a "Museums Without Walls" storefront-exhibit program and an accompanying symposium; museum representatives said $14,000 is already committed and the full project budget is projected at $45,000.
The Han Museum of Indiana Art asked the Tippecanoe County Council on Wednesday for a $15,000 allocation from the county's innkeepers-tax fund to support a Museums Without Walls initiative and an accompanying symposium.
Mayor Tony introduced the request and said the museum "has literally put their heart and soul and their life savings into that museum," calling it a regional cultural asset. Carrie, speaking for the Han Museum, outlined a two-part proposal to convert five vacant downtown storefronts into free, accessible mini-museums and to host a symposium that museum leaders say will attract overnight visitors and support hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.
"The request in front of you today is actually for $15,000," Carrie said, adding that Duke Energy has committed $9,000 and the Indiana Arts Commission awarded a $5,000 America 250 grant, leaving $14,000 already pledged toward the project. Carrie told the council the project's overall budget was projected at $45,000 and estimated the initiative could leverage roughly $162,000 to $172,000 in additional support and economic impact.
Council members asked how the proposal relates to the local Arts Federation; Carrie said the federation is a separate nonprofit but that the groups are active partners. Council members also confirmed fund balances and the schedule: the innkeepers-tax fund balance was reported at about $1.2 million and the council will consider a formal vote on the request at its next meeting.
The museum representative said additional grant applications are pending, including to Indiana Humanities and national agencies, and that the project could be scaled up to $30,000 with those funds. Council members did not take a vote on the request on Wednesday; the matter will return for a resolution at the next meeting.
The museum presentation and the council's questions were scheduled and recorded as part of the March 10 council meeting.
