After all the incredible things I got to experience last year, I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store for Black creatives in Indianapolis.
As the city’s arts and culture scene prepares for a new year of performances, exhibitions and creative opportunities, I’m getting ready for another year of arts calendars, reviews, Q&A’s and features to keep our readers in the know. I’ve compiled a short list of local Black artists across various mediums that I’ll be keeping an eye out for this year.
READ MORE: Best of Black arts and culture 2025
PsyWrn Simone
Performing artist and arts educator PsyWrn Simone hit the ground running in 2025. She started as the understudy for Nina Simone in the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s “Nina Simone: Four Women,” before following that up with the Asante Art Institute’s “Seeds of Freedom” at the Indiana State Museum. In the spring, Simone checked off one of her long-term goals by performing a solo show at the Palladium in Carmel.
She didn’t show any signs of slowing down, immediately stepping into the role of “Peaches” and “First Lady Temple” in the Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Oak.” After that, Simone traveled down to Florida as part of the Sock Joplin Trio, got married and performed a set at the Cabaret, closing out Art and Soul night.
“This year has challenged me in the vein of consistency and discipline,” Simone said. “I wanted to be more intentional about booking work that went along with my personal convictions and my mission as an artist.”
Looking towards 2026, Simone said the “canvas is open” by design. She’s got a few things on her schedule at the top of the year — including the New Harmony Project stage readings and Indianapolis Black Theatre Company’s (IBTC) Black Solo Fest — but wants to prioritize pouring into herself as an artist.
If she’s “living right,” Simone said 2026 should be the year people see some new music and possibly a full PsyWrn Simone album.
Follow along for more at @psywrn.simone on Instagram and Facebook.
April Elliott
She even lent her hand on the Broadway touring productions of “Tina the Musical,” “Wicked” and “Hamilton” during their Indianapolis stops.
Hoosier costume and fashion designer April Elliott began her year by meeting her hero and fellow costume designer, Ruth E. Carter. As 2025 progressed, so too did Elliott as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Elliott was the featured designer at AfroBall Indy, and the costume designer for the NAATC’s “Stew,” Park Tudor School’s “Antigone,” and AES Indiana’s “Yuletide Celebration.”
When she’s not working on costume design, Elliott is at her own company, Autonomy, where she creates custom pieces, performs alterations, and even teaches others how to sew and make their own clothes.
“I feel like, as a designer, I’ve just been jumping out and trying all the new things,” Elliott said. “Because that’s the one thing that’s been pretty true to my brand. … I didn’t go to school for any of this stuff. All of this is self-taught, and then I got some training along the way.”
In 2026, Elliot is preparing to debut a line of prom gowns and host a launch where people can purchase some of her new custom pieces online. Elliott is in talks with a few directors to do costume design in local shows in 2026, but that’s still hush-hush for now, she said.
Follow along for more at autonomycreates.com.
William Minion
Hoosier muralist William Minion spent 2025 building his portfolio and learning to manage the business side of art. Minion said 2025 was the first time he really started taking his murals seriously. As a result, his work can be seen in several places around the city, including the Wapahani Art Center and, most notably, the XG Groom Room.
The Tyrese Haliburton mural, which GANGGANG commissioned Minion to create ahead of BUTTER 5, was the “largest” project he’s ever worked on. Also, at 24 years old, Minion was one of the youngest exhibiting artists at BUTTER 5.
“I think I’ve grown a lot, I think I’ve learned a lot,” Minion said. “I EMT right now part-time, and … That was kind of a transition for me; being able to see how I can actually make money with murals was a learning process.”
Minion said he has “a lot to look forward to” in 2026 — both confirmed projects and a few that are still in negotiation. He’s landed a residency in Spain to work on murals and a few more projects here in Indy, including a mural for Mary Rigg’s food pantry. Personally, Minion hopes to travel more to help influence his artistic development and maybe even lean into more abstract art.
Follow along for more at @dub.does.art on Instagram.
Clarissa Todd
Indiana-based actress Clarissa Todd is a lead teaching artist for Asante Art Institute and Pike Township — she’s also one of the founding company members of the IBTC. If you saw any shows around Indy in 2025, you might have seen Todd in one or more of them, including “Stew” at the NAATC, and IBTC’s “Ain’t No Mo’ and “The Mountaintop.”
This past year was about growth, Todd said, as she stepped into her confidence and learned to stretch her wings as an artist. She even started documenting her journey as a creative on social media — not necessarily for others to view, but for herself, to “understand what I’ve done in a year, just in my career.”
“I feel like now I know who I am as an artist and where I want to go,” Todd said. “I look forward to growth and becoming a better teacher for my students … and also just becoming a better artist for my community.”
Although Todd said she’s “not sure what’s next” in terms of 2026, she is “ready to conquer” the next audition season.
Follow along for more at @the.clarissa.show on Instagram.
FITZ
Shane Young, known professionally as FITZ, had a big year — and not just in Indianapolis. From participating in the BUTTER L.A. pop-up to Rev Indy, BUTTER 5, and most recently dropping a board game and “MOOD” 3D figurine collaboration with Drawl Collectibles, Young said 2025 was “a great roller coaster of a year.”
Young said he spent the year becoming more mature and precise as an artist, getting more intention about his work and understanding what he wants for his career as a creative entrepreneur — creating what he likes to call “a proof of concept.”
“I really kind of stretched myself professionally in all of my art fields,” Young said. “I really just want to focus on painting for a lot of the year and create a schedule that allows that to be successful.”
In 2026, Young is anticipating making more connections out west, as he takes more of his work to Los Angeles for the BUTTER L.A. crossover. He can’t disclose many details yet, but he’s booked a group show in Detroit, which he knows will be great for his career.
Follow along for more at artbyfitz.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.
