A program of Herbert Simon Family Foundation, the Indianapolis Creative Risk Fund provides funding to individual artists, artist collectives, and collaborations of individual artists to take creative risks and pursue experimental projects.

Herbert Simon Family Foundation launched the Creative Risk Fund after asking artists, curators, and creative stakeholders what was missing in our city. During this process we learned that most arts funding in the city goes to institutions, not to artists. These conversations solidified HSFF’s commitment to giving more direct support to artists, with the goal of making it easier for artists to build and sustain careers here.

The Indianapolis Creative Risk Fund was established in 2023 to push Indy’s arts scene into new, visionary territory; to build excitement about what we can create in Indianapolis; and to inspire other artists and spark innovation in Indy’s creative community. We embrace a spirit of experimentation, with all the problem-solving, messiness, and uncertainty that entails.

Recipients showcase their work at an event and exhibit called Risky Business, curated by Creative Director and Performing Arts Curator Rishard Allen and Visual Arts Curator Lindsey Lord.