The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) is now accepting applications for its Tactical Urbanism and Art in the Right-of-Way programs.
The Tactical Urbanism program allows communities to test neighborhood infrastructure changes through low-cost, temporary projects. In contrast, the Art in the Right-of-Way program lets local communities “celebrate their unique identities by using art within the city right-of-way for placemaking within their neighborhoods,” according to a press release.
Within the Tactical Urbanism project, Indianapolis collaborates with the community to develop a hypothesis. Additionally, pre- and post-project implementation data are collected “to see whether these proposed changes would be effective solutions to the issues they are facing,” according to a press release. However, the Art in the Right-of-Way program offers a more unique way for the community to build connections and “have been found to have traffic calming effects.”
Past examples of Tactical Urbanism projects on 86th Street in Nora and on 10th Street in Community Heights are available to view on social media.
Indy DPW placed an additional order for $40,000 of materials in June to aid the expansion of the lending library established in Summer 2024. As part of the department’s expanded Community Powered Infrastructure initiative, the two programs now include a 50/50 cost share component and a lending library of available materials, according to a press release.
Communities will have access to these materials — including water barriers, a-frame barriers, traffic cones, traffic flags and paint rollers — with an approved CPI project and can be used to aid costs for both Tactical Urbanism and Art in the right-of-way projects. These materials are designed for temporary use — meaning they must be superficial as to not damage the existing infrastructure.
All Tactical Urbanism project ideas are eligible for consideration of the 50/50 cost share. However, the only Art in the Right-of-Way project materials eligible for consideration are asphalt art and other paint-related projects.
Applications for the 2025 Tactical Urbanism and Art in the Right-of-Way projects are open now through Aug. 30, 2025, and can be accessed using the Community Powered Infrastructure Application.
For more information about they projects, visit indy.gov/activity/cpi.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
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