With a successful crowdfunding campaign, Garfield Park in Indianapolis will soon become an epicenter of exciting new opportunities. The campaign, sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority(IHCDA) and offered through the crowdfunding platform developed by Patronicity, is being run by Big Car Collaborative. If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by September 15, 2017, the Garfield Park Creative Community Project will receive a matching grant from IHCDA's CreatINg Places program.
As part of these fundraising efforts, Shelby Street Social Club has teamed up with Big Car Collaborative for an Oktoberfest Block Party at Tube Factory artspace (1125 Cruft St.) from 6 pm - 10 pm on Thursday, September 14. This event will benefit Big Car’s radio station WQRT, the shop at Tube Factory, and other arts programming in our neighborhood. Music will be provided by The Roundups, featuring Garfield Park neighbor Steve Guichelaar, and The Polka Jammers. Sun King Oktoberfest and other brews will be available for purchase as well as a selection of wine and soft drinks. Food will also be available. Check the Shelby Street Social Club Facebook group for more details.
Most of Big Car’s work revolves around the belief that artists can and should support life in neighborhoods through culture, creativity, and community. The funding raised during this campaign will allow Big Car to expand that work through several projects along a block of Cruft Street in Garfield Park. The funding will be split into four main areas of creative engagement:
A tool lending library & community workshop series
A demonstration food garden & public space
A studio for the neighborhood radio station
An art gallery in a currently vacant house that will soon house visiting artists