All locations will be closed on Sunday, April 20 for Easter.

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Arts & Crafts Programs

Two participants working with wood and hammers during the 2024 Summer Reading Program Build It Workshop at our Irvington Branch.

You are invited online or in-person to meet-up with fellow creatives to learn a new skill or improve one you have always enjoyed! Books, e-books, magazines, video tutorials, and more will keep your creative muse flowing all year long!

Upcoming Art Exhibits

people looking at an art exhibit

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Exhibit - Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

Wednesday April 2 - Monday, April 28
Central Library | 40 E. St. Clair Street


The nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens will hold an exhibit during Central Library's open hours. This specific exhibit highlights artists and writers from around the state of Indiana.


The Art and Spirit of KP Singh Exhibit

Wednesday April 2 - Tuesday, April 29
Central Library | 40 E. St. Clair Street


Explore KP Singh's architectural drawings from Indiana, India, and other places. The exhibit will be at Central Library from April 2 - April 29. For an opportunity to meet KP Singh and learn more about his work and life, join us on April 27 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the Simon Room at Central Library.


Mariposa de Jade

Tuesday, April 29 - Tuesday, May 27
Central Library | 40 E. St. Clair Street


Mariposa de Jade (Jade Butterflies) is a group exhibition of women artists of Latina heritage. This group exhibition will connect the audience with diverse styles and influences. Each artist showcases their unique way to express themselves using their preferred medium. This exhibition is curated by Gissela Montoya. A reception for this exhibition will take place May 4, 2025 from 1:30 - 4 p.m.


"Mariposa de Jade" es una exposición colectiva de mujeres artistas de ascendencia latina. Esta exposición colectiva conecta al público con diversos estilos e influencias. Cada artista muestra su forma única de expresarse utilizando su medio preferido. Exposición curada por Gissela Montoya y Arte Mexicano en Indiana.

Art Programs for Adults

Crafting Garden Markers

Crafting Garden Markers

Glendale Branch

In this workshop you will create a custom set of ceramic garden stakes by rolling out and stamping durable stoneware clay. Be as creative as you like as you design, label and color your garden stakes to reflect your gardening personality.

Crafternoon at West Indianapolis

Crafternoon at West Indianapolis

West Indianapolis Branch

Crafternoon at West Indianapolis is an arts and crafts club. You can bring your current creative project to work on or use our supplies to start something new! Everyone is welcome. Join us every Monday at 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon of crafting, conversation, and being creative.

Around the Stitching Table

Around the Stitching Table

West Perry Branch

Drop-in on Tuesday afternoons to hang with other crafters and work on your current projects. Be a part of our crafting community! Bring your own crafts, learn techniques from each other, and swap skills & stories.

Meet Local Artist & Teacher Esayas Zerazion

Local scratchboard artist Esayas Zerazion found the ideal spot for his artistic expression, and it just so happened to be a study room at The Indianapolis Public Library's Central Library. From honing his craft to displaying his work at Central Library and later leading free scratchboard classes around the library community, the Library has become a home for Esayas's artistry.

Digital Creativity Workstations

Eagle
East 38th Street

Looking to edit photos, videos, audio or make a new graphic design? Or want to use The Library's learn-on-demand collection to learn how? The Digital Creativity Workstations have specialized software to support multimedia projects including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Vegas Pro Video Editor, and more. A reservation is required. Learn more and make a reservation.

Art Programs for Kids & Teens

Crafting Garden Markers

Crafting Garden Markers

Glendale Branch

In this workshop you will create a custom set of ceramic garden stakes by rolling out and stamping durable stoneware clay. Be as creative as you like as you design, label and color your garden stakes to reflect your gardening personality.

Crafternoon

Crafternoon

Fort Ben Branch

School age children are invited to come, make a craft, and learn new skills.

The Village

The Village

Nora Branch

Join others to create yarn pompoms that become part of a large-scale fiber art piece called The Village. This artwork will eventually be 24 feet wide and 8 feet high, and represents the best of Indianapolis Arts. It can't be made without assistance from each other.

Book List: Igniting and Sustaining Creativity

Creativity flows in many different facets of life. This collection of books offers insights from musicians, producers, actors, dancers, writers, physicists, psychologists, and more. I hope they help you find inspiration and delight in your creative process.

See all our Staff book lists about art, artists, and creativity.

Your Idea Starts Here

77 Mind-expanding Ways to Unleash your Creativity

Eckert, Carolyn

Looking for ways to help spark and grow your creativity? Dip in to any of the 77 approaches in this book to give your creative process a boost. Also available as an eBook.

The Shape of Ideas

An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity

Snider, Grant

Flip open the book to any page and allow the illustrations, humor, and insights to wash over you. Also available as an eBook and a Downloadable Graphic Novel.

The Remembering Process

A Surprising (and Fun) Breakthrough New Way to Amazing Creativity

Barrett, Daniel

What a great approach to creativity! Track forward into the future and then look back to remember the process of creating whatever it is you're looking to bring into being. Give it a try. I find this has a lot of merit.