The Indiana Arts Commission issued a Request for Expressions of Interest today for parties interested in partnering to deliver a localized version of the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, the agency’s training and fellowship program for creative entrepreneurs.
The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator was launched in 2018 and trained artists and creative professionals in entrepreneurship through a 3-day workshop focusing on the portfolio career model, and provided a subsequent 1-year, $2,000 fellowship to put training into practice. After a brief pause in 2025 for program evaluation, the 2026 cohort of the On-Ramp Accelerator will serve as the last central cohort of the program, with the program shifting towards a local model beginning in 2027.
Ahead of the shift towards a more localized model, the Indiana Arts Commission is seeking qualified entities wishing to take a leadership role in the local implementation of the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator in order to impact their local or regional creative economies. Implementing a local model will allow more creatives across the state to participate in the program and allow for the potential customization of content and cohorts to respond to regional talent clusters.
Interested parties should submit the On-Ramp Expression of Interest Form no later than December 19th. Entities best positioned for this opportunity have the following:
- Interest in or presence of existing efforts to support the regional creative economy
- Seek to support or already support small business development
- Commitment to offering sustained programmatic opportunities for creative entrepreneurs regionally
- Experience leading and facilitating business development learning
- Willingness to coinvest alongside the Indiana Arts Commission direct programming funds in the delivery of this creative entrepreneurship program
- Understanding of local and regional arts and culture planning/assets
Learn more about the On-Ramp program and access the Request for Expressions of Interest form here.
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is an agency of state government that works directly with communities, creatives, and organizations to harness the power of creativity to strengthen Indiana. Through its programs and services, the IAC funds and supports arts experiences, arts education, and the arts economy to enhance the quality of life for Indiana's people and places.