The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) officially opens its doors to the public during a weekend-long celebration this May.
Operated by Big Car Collaborative, CAMi is a non-collecting, commissioning contemporary art museum dedicated to sparking creativity by supporting artists, according to a press release. Formerly known as the Tube Factory, the CAMi invites Hoosiers to celebrate the new institution with live music, open studios and free programming May 1-3.
CAMi’s 5-acre campus, located in the Garfield Park neighborhood, aims to serve as a vibrant community hub featuring eight commissioning galleries, 18 artist studios, long-term affordable housing for 26 artists, WQRT 99.1 FM, an arts-centric experimental radio station, a café, a public park and versatile community spaces.
READ MORE: Bloombox Festival to celebrate 25 years, meet this year’s student organizer
The artists’ studios represent a new cohort of local creatives, working across a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, multimedia, social practice, digital media and interdisciplinary work. These artists contribute to “a dynamic, working creative environment where visitors can engage more directly with the artistic process,” according to a press release.
CAMi is also home to five small-business storefronts, which will be open to the public during opening weekend, creating opportunities for the community to engage with local artists and entrepreneurs. Businesses housed in the CAMi include Hepatica Pottery Collective, a collaborative ceramics studio; HQ Books & Records, an independent bookstore and record shop; Indy Plant Room, which offers creative wellness experiences centered around plants; and Line + Form Art Center, a community-focused art studio.
CAMi opens at 9 a.m. on May 1; however, guests are encouraged to come socialize, meet exhibiting artists and explore shows across the CAMi’s six gallery spaces during the First Friday celebration from 6-10 p.m.
Exhibitions include:
- Ivelisse Jiménez’s Campo de Resonancia, Efroymson Gallery
- Jess Dunn & Sylvia Thomas’s Drafts, Katharine B. Sutphin Media Gallery
- You’re Standing Inside the Instrument: A Score for 19 Buildings, Listen Hear Gallery
- Will Higgins’ The Speedway’s Attic, Research Gallery
- O.P.T.I.O.N.A.L., Office of Provisional Thinking, Indeterminate Outcomes, Nonessential Activities and Life
- From the Collection Of…
- Mae Alice Engron, Guichelaar Gallery
- Cory Robinson’s Kept Secrets: Open Code, Tube Gallery
- Tony Cokes’ Untitled (m.j. the symptom), Tube Video Gallery
Chef Dan’s Cajun and Southern food truck will be on-site to provide dinner for guests, along with wine from Stall, the museum’s new bar, and selections from the new cafe, Normal Coffee.
From noon to 3 p.m. on May 2, the CAMi invites the community back for its Neighborhood Celebration with programming centered on the museum’s surrounding community — Garfield Park and Bean Creek neighborhoods. During the event, guests are invited to enjoy live music by The Roundups, artist conversations, activities and a group neighborhood tour beginning at 1 p.m.
The celebration culminates with the Garfield Park Art Walk, organized by neighborhood artist Jennifer Meeker, and the opening day of the Garfield Park Farmers Market in the adjacent park.
The weekend concludes with the Levitt VIBE Indianapolis concert from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 3 at CAMi’s outdoor amphitheater and pocket park. Guests are welcome to enjoy live music, dancing, food from Pi Indy pizza food truck and vendors from the Indy Gay Market.
The concert is free to attend, featuring Virginia-based jazz headliner JJJJJerome Ellis, Indianapolis-based traditional Mexican folk dance group Grupo Folclórico Macehuani and Indianapolis-based classical ensemble A.K.A.
The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis is located at 1125 Cruft St. For more information about the museum or upcoming programming, visit camindy.org.
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.
 officially opens its doors to the public during a weekend-long celebration this May.){kind=link}