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Friday, April 4, 2025 Indianapolis Recorder Page A5ARTI announces Black Theater conference, CenterStage 2025By CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0chloegm@indyrecorder.comCenterStage 2025, a one-day conference dedicated to celebrating and exploring Black theater, is coming this spring.%u00a0Presented by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IU-Indianapolis (ARTI), CenterStage 2025 aims to %u201carm participants with tools and knowledge necessary to create, interpret, and critique Black theater with cultural sensitivity,%u201d according to a press release. The Black theater conference takes place April 12 at the Herron School of Art & Design and is free to register for.%u201cWhether you are a seasoned professional, a student, an educator or a community member with a love for the arts, this conference offers a unique opportunity to explore, learn and thrive,%u201d the press release states. %u201cARTI is committed to fostering creative expression at all levels, providing a supportive network for growth, education and inspiration.%u201dCenterStage 2025 will feature a series of workshops highlighting different aspects of the theatrical production %u2014 including %u201cTHE LOOK,%u201d %u201cTHE BUSINESS%u201d and %u201cTHE SHOW.%u201d Local artists and directors will also join participants for a panel discussion to provide first-hand perspectives on the industry, according to a press release.The theme of this year%u2019s ARTI conference %u2014 %u201cThe Role of Black Arts in Addressing our Current Socio-Political Identities%u201d %u2014 emphasizes the role Black artistic expression plays in navigating today%u2019s complex social and political climate.Deborah Asante, founder of the Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis, will give a presentation as the keynote speaker.%u00a0CenterStage 2025 will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 12 at the Herron School of Art & Design, 735 W. New York St. The conference is free to attend, and attendees will receive a complimentary continental breakfast and lunch. Registration can be completed at events.humanitix.com/centerstage-2025.Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.By CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0chloegm@indyrecorder.comJudith 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 %u201cextensive%u201d 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.%u201cThe 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,%u201d Thomas said in a statement. %u201cThe arts tell the story of a people %u2014 a city, a state, a community. It is crucial that all voices and creatives are heard, seen and celebrated.%u201dJulie 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%u2019s departure, Molly Wilkinson Chavers led the organization as its interim CEO.Thomas, an avoid 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 %u2014 including community engagement, stakeholder management and collaborative leadership. Though Thomas expressed how much she loved working for the mayor%u2019s 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%u2019 art sector. %u201cI was hoping to get a little bit of a break in between jobs, and I%u2019m trying to do that now, but %u2026 if they need me in between, even on my time off, I%u2019ll be there,%u201d Thomas said. %u201cWe%u2019ve 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%u2019m just grateful that I was able to get the position.%u201dThomas 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%u2019s tournament.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 %u201clucky enough%u201d to also serve as the Indy Arts Council%u2019s liaison to facilitate programing, funding and collaborations.%u201cAlong with the Indy Arts Council Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Judith B. Thomas as our next president and CEO,%u201d Brenda Horn, Indy Arts Council Board chair, said in a statement. %u201cAs a skilled fundraiser, compelling ambassador and exceptional relationship builder, she is extremely well positioned to lead our organization in this next chapter.%u201dHorn led the Indy Arts Council%u2019s CEO search in partnership with DSG | Koya, the national search firm used to hire Newfields%u2019 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.%u201cMy 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,%u201d 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%u2019s future, Thomas said despite the city%u2019s longstanding reputation as home of the Indy 500, in just a few years, Indianapolis could also be known for its creative scene. %u201cWhat we need now is for all of us to come together for arts, heritage, culture and history in our city to say, %u2018We%u2019re going to make this like sports,%u2019%u201d Thomas said. %u201cWe%u2019re going to make sure that people know that you can come here and walk our trails and our greenways, yes, but that you%u2019re also going to walk a historic trail, or you%u2019re going to walk the cultural trail and see nothing but art.%u201dComing up for the Indy Arts Council, %u201csoul %u2022 real %u2022 ism %u2013 An Art & Soul Featured Artist Showcase%u201d 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.Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.The Indy Arts Council%u2019s new president and CEO is Deputy Mayor Judith ThomasDeputy Mayor Judith Thomas is the new president and CEO of Indy Arts Council. (Photo provided/Indy Arts Council)