As part of READI 2.0, the IEDC received a $250M gift from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to invest into statewide blight remediation and arts and culture. $65M was dedicated to arts and culture investments. This first of its kind program pulled together Arts & Culture and economic development intentionally in a way few other states have even attempted. During his time at the IEDC, Jim led the creation and implementation of this initiative, creating the framework for the grants awards process, commissioning 15 Arts & Culture Strategic Plans across the state, and awarding $60+ M to a diverse array of projects, from theater renovations to arts workforce initiatives, and much more. This initiative embedded arts & culture as strategic initiatives across the State of Indiana. It was able to generate over $300 M in co-investment, awarding project funding to 49 projects, and capacity building assistance to an additional 15 projects.

In 2026 we were also able to launch the Indiana Quality of Place Learning Partnership through READI, led by Landmark Columbus. This multi-year engagement pulls together communities to study how they can engage with and improve quality of place.

A full list of READI Arts & Culture Awardees can be found here.

Arts Midwest “New Creative Era: Indiana Invests $65M in Arts & Culture

WFYI “READI Grants Top $62M for Arts & Culture”

Indiana Quality of Place Learning Partnership

WFYI: New Statewide Initiative Looks for Answers on Quality of Place