Northwest Indiana Forum Unveils IGNITE Arts & Culture Strategy with Key Recommendations from Public Spheres Projects
PORTAGE, Ind., May 14, 2025 – The Northwest Indiana Forum unveiled the IGNITE Arts & Culture Strategy, a transformative regional roadmap developed in partnership with Public Sphere Projects (PSP) to elevate the creative economy and cultural vitality of Northwest Indiana.
As part of the Forum’s IGNITE the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation, the arts and culture component has been crafted to position creativity and innovation as core drivers of community development, workforce attraction, and quality of life.
The strategy, guided by research and regional input, was presented today at CAF, highlighting recommendations developed by PSP following a series of stakeholder engagements, cultural asset mapping, and economic analysis.
Key goals of the IGNITE Arts & Culture Strategy include:
Strengthening the infrastructure that supports artists, creatives, and cultural organizations.
Enhancing regional identity through investment in public art, cultural heritage, and storytelling.
Integrating arts and culture into economic development, tourism, and workforce initiatives.
Promoting equitable access and representation across all cultural programming and planning.
Heather Ennis, President and CEO of the NWI Forum, emphasized the critical role of arts and culture in regional growth: “The IGNITE Arts & Culture Strategy reflects our commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient Northwest Indiana. Through this strategy and PSP’s expert guidance, we’re laying the foundation for creative industries to thrive and become central to our economic narrative.”
This effort is supported by the State of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program and is being guided by Public Sphere Projects, a national planning and placemaking consultancy.