Judith B. Thomas is excited to serve as the new president and CEO of the Indy Arts Council.
The Indy Arts Council announced the decision on March 14, following an “extensive” nationwide search. Thomas, currently serving as the Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement at the City of Indianapolis, will assume the role beginning mid-April 2025.
“The opportunity to lead an organization so deeply embedded in the cultural and creative fabric of Indianapolis aligns perfectly with my passion, vision and lifelong commitment to empowering communities through the arts,” Thomas said in a statement. “The arts tell the story of a people — a city, a state, a community. It is crucial that all voices and creatives are heard, seen and celebrated.”
Julie Goodman, who now serves as the chief advancement officer of The Cabaret, served as president and CEO of the Indy Arts Council from 2019 to 2024. Since Goodman’s departure, Molly Wilkinson Chavers led the organization as its interim CEO.
Thomas, an avid patron and supporter of the arts, is bringing more than 30 years of service as she steps up to lead the Indy Arts Council this spring — including community engagement, stakeholder management and collaborative leadership.
Though Thomas expressed how much she loved working for the mayor’s office the last four years and all the wonderful things it allowed her to do for the city, she is excited for this new chapter. Having grown up surrounded by art her entire life, heading up the Indy Arts Council allows Thomas the unique opportunity to focus her energy exclusively on Indianapolis’ art sector.
“I was hoping to get a little bit of a break in between jobs, and I’m trying to do that now, but … if they need me in between, even on my time off, I’ll be there,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of ground to lay. Anytime is a good time to come in. For me, I’m just grateful that I was able to get the position.”
Thomas helped bring some of the most influential events and conventions to Indianapolis, including the Indiana Black Expo and the National FFA. Thomas is also looking forward to serving as LOC co-chair for the 2026 NCAA Men’s tournament.
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This will not be the first time Thomas is working with the Indy Arts Council, having initially partnered with the organization in 2019 when she was president of the Madam Walker Legacy Center. As Deputy Mayor, Thomas was “lucky enough” to also serve as the Indy Arts Council’s liaison to facilitate programing, funding and collaborations.
“Along with the Indy Arts Council Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Judith B. Thomas as our next president and CEO,” Brenda Horn, Indy Arts Council Board chair, said in a statement. “As a skilled fundraiser, compelling ambassador and exceptional relationship builder, she is extremely well positioned to lead our organization in this next chapter.”
Horn led the Indy Arts Council’s CEO search in partnership with DSG | Koya, the national search firm used to hire Newfields’ new CEO Le Monte Booker. Indy Arts Council staff, community members and other key stakeholders also contributed in guiding the search with valuable input.
Indianapolis is home to a variety of established and successful traditional arts organizations, but new ones are popping up every day looking for resources and partnerships. Thomas is looking to bring in different collaborations, partnerships and exposure to artists and arts organizations.
“My goal is to try to raise as much money in various ways that I can, so that we can show off what we have here and that we can get artists paid and get them connected to other people,” Thomas said.
When businesses flourish, artists will feel it. However, Thomas said it will be her job to make sure that artists know when projects are going on and to let businesses know that artists are there to help them in return.
As for the Indy Arts Council’s future, Thomas said despite the city’s longstanding reputation as home of the Indy 500, in just a few years, Indianapolis could also be known for its creative scene.
“What we need now is for all of us to come together for arts, heritage, culture and history in our city to say, ‘We’re going to make this like sports,’” Thomas said. “We’re going to make sure that people know that you can come here and walk our trails and our greenways, yes, but that you’re also going to walk a historic trail, or you’re going to walk the cultural trail and see nothing but art.”
“soul • real • ism – An Art & Soul Featured Artist Showcase” takes place from 7-9:30 p.m. on April 11 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center and every Sunday through October 2025, the community is invited to participate in Art
& Soul Sundays.
For more information about the Indy Arts Council, Art & Soul or additional programming, visit indyarts.org.
This story has been updated.
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 graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
