We're taking January off and thought now might be a good time to share a little about what Big Car is about and what we do. We're a gallery in Fountain Square, yes. But we're so much more...

Big Car is a 501c3 non-profit that explores -- through contemporary art practice and art as social engagement -- the notions of people and place, and the unique aspects of community that connect them. It is in its sixth year of supporting unique, non-commercial cultural experiences.

Based in Fountain Square where it has a gallery, Big Car operates the Masterpiece in a Day contest and festival each year and works with Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, the IMA, iMOCA, Pecha Kucha Indy, Herron School of Art and other organizations. In 2010, Big Car and IMCPL have a series of arts, music and lecture events planned at Clowes Auditorium at Central Library.

Big Car Collective -- which includes its board of directors and staff -- is a diverse group of more than 20 talented visual artists, musicians, writer, performers and community leaders.

In 2009, Big Car received a $50,000 grant from the Great Indianapolis Neighborhood Initiatives IMAGINE Big program for its Made for Each Other (MFEO) series of eight community art projects in neighborhoods across Indianapolis during 2009-2010. The series is called Made for Each Other because the projects are just that -- made for and by each other in the community.

MFEO connects art with the community and engages people of all walks of life as they help create shows and events within the context of their neighborhoods. It brings neighbors together to help with the planning, creating and celebration of each project.

MFEO happens in urban areas: Near Eastside, Southeast, Martindale-Brightwood, Near West, West Indianapolis, Lafayette Square, Crooked Creek and the Binford Boulevard area.

MFEO partners include with the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, Susurrus, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Herron School of Art, Hoosier Environmental Council, Second Story, and Spirit & Place.

Internationally known social practice artist Harrell Fletcher of Portland, Oregon is advising Big Car on MFEO and will participate in at least one of the neighborhood projects.

The IMAGINE Big grant covers most of the MFEO project costs but not Big Car staffing and administrative expenses. Big Car is raising funds for the rest.

MFEO will have its home base for community art projects in the Moon Block building at the corner of 10th and Rural streets -- connecting with the community through events, educational opportunities and other programs in the space. Big Car seeks funding for programming this space.

If you'd like to support Big Car with a tax-deductible donation, click on our donate button on the left of this page or mail a check to Big Car, 1043 Virginia Ave. Suite 215 Indianapolis IN, 46203. Thanks!

Made for Each Other series at Central Library

Big Car Collective's ongoing effort to bring engaging arts projects events to the community comes to Central Library in early 2010 at Clowes Auditorium under the umbrella of Made for Each Other. The series, also supported by the local Know No Stranger collective, includes an unusual twist on a lecture, experimental audio and video, a music competition with a twist and a live multimedia performance. All of the events are free of charge.

Seven Simultaneous Lectures
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.
Local experts will present talks on where Indianapolis fits into the global art community now and in the future. But there's a twist, they'll all present their lectures at the same time. And audience members will be able to control who they hear over the p.a. system. This is followed by a panel discussion. This event is part of the IndyTalks series.

Exploring Ubu Web
Wednesday, March 31, 7 p.m.
An amazing repository of experimental music and video, Ubu Web is a website that demands to be shared. Big Car Collective members and others will selected their favorites from Ubu Web to share on the big screen and through the auditorium's sound system.

Thrift Store Music
Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m.
and Sunday May 2, 2-5 p.m.
This new, two-day event sends musicians to randomly drawn thrift stores to find instruments and objects on a budget for creating music they'll perform four days later. The musicians will only be able to use what they find at the thrift stores. The contest starts with a meeting for participants on Wednesday that includes a draw for thrift stores and an Indianapolis premier screening of Trimpin: The Sound of Invention, a new documentary about experimental musician and artist Trimpin. The new songs will then be performed on Sunday afternoon.

Know No Stranger
Wednesday, May 26, 7 p.m.
The Know No Stranger collective will perform a multi-media show with a handmade feel that offers a whimsical analysis of ordinary life. The group provides local, community-oriented entertainment with a focus of encouraging creative unity.

video corner

Outside Orchestra at Big Car on Dec. 17.