For Immediate Release: July 11, 2023
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org
‘SPARK on the Circle’ opens in grand style on Monument Circle
Civic leaders and community stakeholders usher in transformational, pedestrian-only southwest quadrant complete with interactivity, games, and public seating
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, July 11, city leaders, community stakeholders, independent artists, project designers, and developers gathered on Monument Circle’s southwest quadrant to take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony for ‘SPARK on the Circle.’ The park-like environment, implementing a transformational, pedestrian-friendly closure from July to November on the southwest quad, serves as a hub for Indianapolis arts and culture, free engagement opportunities, and community-building seven days a week from 11 a.m. – dark. The initiative to ‘spark’ Monument Circle with programming is comprised of a partnership with Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII), City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (Indy DMD), Big Car Collaborative, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission (IWMC).
“SPARK on the Circle is downtown resiliency in action and a testament to the power of vibrant public spaces,” said Scarlett Andrews, deputy mayor for economic development at the City of Indianapolis. "It ignites a sense of community, creativity, and connection, inviting residents and visitors to gather, engage, and be inspired by the power of public art and shared experiences. This is what happens when the city and its civic partners collaborate and dream big about how we take our downtown to the next level."
“Building upon our trademark single-day events including Circle of Lights and Fourth Fest, we’re also cognizant that community engagement and social interaction flourishes with long-term programming opportunities,” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer. “Thus, expanding upon ‘SPARK on the Circle’ to include a full pedestrian space with games, entertainment, seating, food and drink, and even synthetic grass helps to encourage connection and cohesion while also marking a milestone in Monument Circle’s mixed-use trajectory. We have gone from vision to execution in presenting a free activation to the public unlike anything they’ve ever experienced on the Circle.”
“SPARK on the Circle is an incredible team effort to make a welcoming, comfortable, social, playful, and creative place that’s truly for everyone,” said Jim Walker, executive director of Big Car Collaborative. “This is a bold move that shows residents and visitors alike that our city really cares about them. SPARK is a place where you can spend time with family, make friends, and feel restored after taking a breather in this green oasis in the heart of our city.”
The launch of SPARK acts as one element of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan, launched in 2021 to create a blueprint for public infrastructure investments and connectivity in the southern corridor of Downtown. This, combined with community input about the future of Monument Circle and previous seasons of SPARK on the southwest quadrant’s inner curb lane, ultimately lead to the informed decision for a fully pedestrian accommodating closure. SPARK is also made possible by urban designing firm Merritt Chase, artificial grass manufacturer SYNLawn, and landscaping company Engledow Group.
Following today’s ribbon cutting ceremony, the SPARK space will feature a VIP reception this evening from 4 – 6 p.m., comprised of project partners and local influencers, to celebrate the launch and network over food and adult beverages. The space is currently activated with synthetic grass, shade structures, tables and Adirondack chairs, public restrooms, and an Indiana-based food and beverage experience with local providers such as Tinker Coffee Co. and ‘Just Pop In!’ Later this week, SPARK will showcase multiple programming opportunities including a Wednesday Wake-Up with coffee and donuts for sale and an Aurora PhotoCenter workshop on Friday, free for attendees to experiment with “cyanotype” photographic printing.
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About Downtown Indy, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Downtown Indy, Inc. is a public/private partnership existing to improve Downtown, and is also known as Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Downtown Indy, Inc. is uniquely positioned to address issues that affect the area’s growth and well-being. Downtown Indy, Inc. focuses on development, management, activation, and marketing to advance Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work and play. www.downtownindy.org
About Big Car Collaborative
Formed in 2004, Big Car Collaborative is a nonprofit art and design organization utilizing tools of culture and creativity to build community and social cohesion, helping connect people as a way to boost quality of life. Based in Indianapolis, Big Car is an adaptive and flexible cultural organization drawing together people of all backgrounds to promote and perpetuate creativity, invigorate public places, and support neighborhoods. Big Car is a creative community builder working to boost livability from an engagement-based arts perspective. Its mission is to bring art to people and people to art, sparking creativity in lives to support communities. www.bigcar.org
About the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development
The City of Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) works to shape the city’s identity by strengthening people and places, building upon our history, and fostering visionary development. The DMD envisions Indianapolis as a growing, vibrant, and beautiful city where people and businesses thrive in an inclusive, world class community. www.indy.gov/dmd