Arts & Culture | Forge Your Path - East Central Indiana

Woman looking at car at Fairmount Historical Museum

Arts & Culture in East Central Indiana

Tell us what makes your heart sing and you’ll probably find it in East Central Indiana. We have theatres, museums, concert halls, symphonies, art galleries and more. If you’re looking to support the arts, join in, or simply enjoy a beautiful night out, start your planning here. We’re also the lucky hosts for national tours coming through this region. Be sure to check each performing arts location’s website to see what’s playing upcoming this season.

Ready to see what’s happening? Check out our interactive ECI map.

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Performing Arts

Art in East Central Indiana

Art Association of Randolph County

Art lovers of all backgrounds will find a haven at the Art Association of Randolph County. This non-profit organization in Union City, Indiana promotes visual arts through a variety of programs. They offer art exhibitions, classes, and workshops for all ages and skill levels, fostering a vibrant arts community.

Metcalf Gallery – Taylor University

Art enthusiasts visiting Taylor University won't want to miss the Metcalf Gallery. Located within the Modelle Metcalf Visual Arts Center, the Metcalf Gallery showcases both student and visiting artist works, offering a glimpse into the vibrant Taylor University art scene. Exhibits change frequently, so you're likely to encounter something new and inspiring on every visit.

Art Association of Henry County

Whether you are looking for a summer camp, art class, or a visit to the museum and park, the Art Association of Henry County has it all!

Richmond Art Museum in Indiana

Richmond Art Museum

RAM is the oldest cultural institution in Wayne County and the second oldest art museum in Indiana. The Richmond Art Museum is the only active public art museum housed within an active public high school in the United States.

Spectators admire art at The Portland Center of Arts Place in Jay County, Indiana

Arts Place Inc.

Originally named the “Portland Society for the Arts,” Arts Place began in 1967 with a small film series. Today it has grown to encompass three unique centers in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio.

David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana

David Owsley Museum of Art – Ball State University

The museum, located on the campus of Ball State University, houses more than 11,000 works of art from six continents representing 5,000 years of civilization.

Museums in East Central Indiana

Whitewater Valley Rail Road

More than just a museum, the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville is a unique experience that blends history, nostalgia, and scenic beauty. The railroad is dedicated to preserving a historic branch line railroad, restoring vintage locomotives and equipment, and offering educational programs about railroading. The heart of the museum lies at its shop and yard in Connersville, where visitors can get a close look at the ongoing restoration projects and witness the dedication of volunteers keeping railroad history alive. However, the true magic unfolds aboard their passenger trains. Climb aboard a historic engine and embark on a scenic journey through the picturesque Whitewater Valley. These excursions, ranging from relaxing day trips to themed events, offer a glimpse into the past while creating lasting memories for all ages.

Fayette County Historical Museum

The Fayette County Historical Museum is located in Connersville and offers a rich tapestry of the county's past through its collection of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits. Curated by Historic Connersville Inc., these displays delve into the lives of early settlers, the rise and fall of local industries, and the stories of the people who have shaped the county's unique character. Free admission allows visitors of all backgrounds to explore Fayette County's intriguing history, making the museum a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this Indiana community.

Rush County Historical Society Museum

The Rush County Historical Museum, located in Rushville, offers a captivating journey through the county's rich history. Inside, the museum curates a collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that paint a vivid picture of Rush County's evolution. Visitors can explore exhibits on early settlers, the rise and fall of local industries, and the lives of everyday people who shaped the county's character. The museum also boasts a fascinating display dedicated to the Willkie presidential campaign of 1940, showcasing memorabilia from that pivotal time in American history.

Gaar House Museum

The Gaar House Museum stands as a testament to the area's industrial heritage. Also known as the Gaar Mansion is a Second Empire Victorian home located in Richmond, Indiana, built in 1876 by Abram Gaar, president of a prominent farm machinery company. Today, the Gaar House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Gaar family. Visitors can tour the meticulously restored interior, adorned with hand-painted ceilings, parquet wood floors, and original furnishings, providing a window into the world of a 19th-century industrial tycoon.

Overbeck Pottery Museum

The Overbeck Pottery Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving papers, photographs and artifacts of the history of the Western Wayne area. Historical documents of Cambridge City and the surrounding area, genealogy information, yearbooks, and newspapers dating from the early 1800’s are among the many things available.

Historic Knightstown Museum

The Historic Knightstown Museum is home to photographs, documents, mementoes, and items of identification from homes, businesses, organizations, schools, and people of the town of Knightstown.

Henry County Veterans Museum

The Veterans Museum of Henry County in New Castle is established to maintain a museum for public inspiration and remembrance and preservation of memories of Henry County veterans involved in all of America's armed conflicts.

Randolph County Historical Museum

The Randolph County Historical Museum, also known as the RCHS Museum, is located in Winchester and offers a glimpse into the rich history of Randolph County. RCHS is the non-profit organization that operates the museum with the intent to interpret and preserve the history of Randolph County.

Museum of the Soldier

The Museum of the Soldier is a privately owned and operated non-for-profit gallery of military artifacts located in Portland, Indiana. It is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting military artifacts and honoring soldiers throughout history.

Jay County Historical Museum

The Jay County Historical museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of “The Only Jay in The USA”. The 11,000 sq. foot museum holds thousands of artifacts dating back to 1838.

Gas City Museum & Historical Society

The Gas City Museum & Historical Society displays a wide range of artifacts from Gas City’s past, including artifacts from Gas City Hall, the Avalon Hotel, the Arcade Theater, the natural Gas Boom, glass factories, railroad, and local artists.

Marion Public Library & Museum

The Marion Public Library Museum preserves the history of Marion and Grant County through exhibits and artifacts. The library has a large collection of books and materials on a variety of subjects, while the museum houses artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the area's history. The museum is located in the historic Carnegie Building, which was built in 1902. Some of the exhibits focus on the natural gas boom in the early 20th century and the Crosley automobile, which was manufactured in Marion from 1946 to 1952.

Wayne County Historical Museum

Learn about the region's history and early pioneer life at this county museum! Discover the preserves and artifacts of that time period, and also learn about this county's role in American history.

Henry County Historical Society Museum

Learn about the history of Henry County's people and genealogy at this unique museum! With their own genealogy library, you can look up your ancestors, old family friends, or even someone historically significant in our area! You might be surprised on what you find, and there's so much to explore.

Ball State University Charles W. Brown Planetarium

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium is the largest in the state! Open to the public year-round, the planetarium offers unique learning experiences and shows, such as the Christmas Star show in December.

Photo wall of James Dean at the Fairmount Historical Museum in Fairmount, Indiana

James Dean Museum

The James Dean Gallery was established in 1988 in the actor’s hometown and final resting place of Fairmount, Indiana. The collection is housed in a beautifully restored 1903 Victorian home and consists of thousands of items of James Dean memorabilia.

Memorabilia including jerseys, trophies, pendants, and plaques on display at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum

In Indiana, basketball isn’t simply a game – it’s a tradition, passion, and part of our culture. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle celebrates the proud heritage of basketball in our state from its origins in the 1890s to the current season.

Dunkirk Glass Museum in Indiana

Dunkirk Glass Museum

Since the 1980s, the Glass Museum has been sharing Dunkirk’s unique heritage among visitors. The Museum connects visitors to Dunkirk’s past by preserving, interpreting and disseminating local, national and international glassware heritage.

Model T outside the Model T Museum in Richmond, Indiana

Model T Museum

Nestled in the heart of Richmond Indiana’s Depot District, see Model Ts of all shapes and sizes hosted at the world’s largest Model T association. Among the stars are a 1909 touring (one of the very first Ts), a 1912 brass Town Car, a 1925 fire truck, a one-of-a-kind Snowmobile, and a 1931 Pietenpol airplane with a Model T Engine.

The inside of the Levi and Catharine Coffin Interpretive Center in Fountain City, Indiana

Levi and Catherine Coffin State Historic Site

This eight-room home was the third home of Levi and Catharine Coffin in Newport now Fountain City, and it was a safe haven for hundreds of fugitive slaves on their journey to Canada. Levi and Catharine Coffin’s home became known as “The Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad.” The Levi Coffin Home is a National Historic Landmark and has been named as one of the top 25 historic sites in the nation to visit.

Replicas on display at the Wilbur Wright Museum in Hagerstown, Indiana

Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum

The birthplace of Wilbur Wright, one of the pioneers of aviation is located in Henry County. Visit the Museum to see a replica 1903 Wright Flyer. Stroll through Main Street for a glimpse into the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Muncie Children's Museum in Indiana

Muncie Children’s Museum

The Muncie Children’s Museum provides fun through educational and interactive opportunities for children of all ages in a safe and creative environment.

The Catalyst sculpture stands in front of the Minnetrista Center Building at Minnetrista in Muncie, Indiana

Minnetrista

Minnetrista maintains a spacious forty-acre campus which is open to the public and includes beautiful gardens, a nature area, a modern museum facility, historic homes, children’s play areas, and a portion of the White River Greenway. Throughout the year the roster of educational programs, engaging workshops, community events, and interactive exhibits are consistently rotating and changing.

Performing Arts in East Central Indiana

Richmond Symphony Orchestra

Enrich your cultural life with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra! This professional orchestra, a cornerstone of Richmond, Indiana since 1937, offers a full season of concerts featuring renowned guest artists and conductors. Their performances include classical masterpieces, contemporary works, and even pops concerts, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Jay County Civic Theatre

The Jay County Civic Theatre (JCCT) provides the community with high-quality, community-produced plays. This independent group has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years with a focus on enriching the cultural life of Jay County. Striving for artistic excellence through our community-based, independently-produced theatrical performances and educational programs.

CSA Civic Theatre

For 25 years, Marion Community School of the Arts has provided arts education and enrichment in Grant County, and have expanded theatrical programming over the past seven years.

Phillipe Performing Arts Center

Located at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, the arts center hosts shows and concerts of several varieties.

The door of Key Palace Theatre in Red Key, Indiana

Key Palace Theatre

Located in Redkey Indiana, the Key Palace Theatre, a member of the national Blues Foundation, stands as one of the top blues venues in the world. A vintage 220 seat theatre features a large stage, hand-built stone columns, attached restaurant, and plenty of juke-joint atmosphere.

Two actors and an actress onstage during The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe production at the Muncie Civic Theatre in Muncie, Indiana

Muncie Civic Theatre

Local productions of popular plays & musicals, plus kids' programs, in a storied 19th-century venue.

The stage at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie, Indiana

Cornerstone Center for the Arts

Cornerstone Center for the Arts is headquartered in a historic six-story building, originally used as a Masonic Temple, located on Main Street in downtown Muncie, Indiana. Cornerstone reaches individuals of all races, ages, cultures, socioeconomic levels, and other identities by providing arts programming, offering event rentals, and giving back to the community.

Dance exhibit Marion Community School of the Arts in East Central Indiana

Marion Community School of the Arts

Celebrating more than 20 years of arts education and enrichment, the Marion Community School of the Arts offers over 100 classes, a pre-professional theatre company, a pre-professional dance company, a recreational dance company, a variety of private music lesson, the CSA Arts Academy-a partnership with Marion Community Schools, and the Art Scholars Program, a scholarship program for students needing financial assistance.

Performers take a bow on stage at the Richmond Civic Theatre in Indiana

Civic Hall Performing Arts Center

Civic Hall is a 936 seat performing arts venue owned and operated by Richmond Community Schools. The Proudly Presenting Series was developed to be a part of the cultural landscape improving the quality of life for the region. It is also the home to the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

Outside of Emens Auditorium at night at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana

Emens Auditorium – Ball State University

Emens Auditorium and Pruis Hall located on the campus of Ball State University presents a diverse array of guest artists, productions, and celebrities of national and international prominence who represent various genres of live performance and entertainment from traditional to the innovative.