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
2025 Meet the Artists XXXVII
Wednesday, January 29 - Saturday, March 29
Central Library | 40 E. St. Clair Street
View the works of prominent local African American artists during one of the city’s premiere cultural events, Meet the Artists XXXVII "Pearl Experience" celebrating 30 years of fashion. Works are on display throughout Central Library during regular Library hours. The exhibit was created to provide an avenue for local, talented African American artists to show off their creative works. Learn more about Meet the Artists.
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
Paper Bead Making
Wayne Branch
In this one-time workshop, students will learn how to create unique paper beads using simple techniques and tools. We’ll explore different ways to roll, shape, and seal the paper beads for a variety of styles and sizes.
Cricut Design Space for Beginners
Lawrence Branch
This class will guide you step-by-step through Design Space, the software for designing Cricut projects. Explore the Design Space canvas and the functions and tools bringing your designs to life. Learn about the material prep screen and unloading and assembling a beginner-level cut project.
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.
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
Tot Art at Southport
Southport Branch
Babies and toddlers up to age 3 and an adult are invited for stories, songs, and rhymes followed by a process art activity. Come dressed for a mess!
Art Adventures
Spades Park Branch
Join Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts to explore art inspired by picture books. Children ages 3-6 will learn about crayon resist art and take home a creation of their own! Dress to mess!
The Village
Central Library
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
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
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
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.