As the city prepares to host the NCAA Men’s Final Four and HBCU All-Star Game, organizers unveiled the full schedule and artist lineup for SWISH 2026, a multi-day arts and culture celebration designed to recast downtown into a vibrant welcome mat for visitors and residents alike.
The free, family-friendly experience, running April 3-6, represents a collaboration among Indy Arts Council, Indiana Sports Corp, Forty5 Presents, GANGGANG, Epicurean Indy and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The initiative provides paid opportunities for more than 200 local artists, performers, vendors and chefs.
“We’re excited to showcase the incredible depth of Indianapolis’ arts and culture community during Final Four weekend,” Co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee, President and CEO of Indy Arts Council Judith Thomas said. “From live music and dance to murals, poetry, and food experiences, SWISH invites everyone to explore downtown and discover the creativity that makes our city special— whether you’re here for the games or simply to experience Indy’s vibrant cultural scene.”
Live music and performances
More than 175 artists will take the stage across five downtown locations from noon to 6 p.m. daily throughout the weekend. The lineup features 68 distinct acts spanning multiple musical genres and dance styles, performing at Monument Circle, 1 Virginia Avenue, PNC Plaza and the Starbucks at 30 South Meridian Street, with additional locations announced later.
Central Indiana-based musicians, dancers and spoken word poets will activate the spaces, with performances curated collaboratively by the aforementioned organizations.
“Indianapolis is known for hosting world-class sporting events, but what truly sets our city apart is the way we bring the entire community together to celebrate them,” President of Indiana Sports Corp Patrick Talty said. “SWISH highlights the creativity, flavor, and talent of Indianapolis, giving visitors and residents alike a chance to experience the energy of Final Four weekend beyond the court.”
Sidewalk displays and visual arts
The Mile Square and Capitol Avenue underpass features 60 vinyl-wrapped storefront murals showcasing original artwork and poetry from more than 40 local artists and poets. Selected works embodying the spirit of Final Four weekend remain on view in the weeks leading up to and during the tournament, with some installations continuing after the event concludes.
Additional visual art activations include wrapped traffic signal boxes and installations at the Indianapolis International Airport.
More SWISH happenings
Epicurean Indy, presented by Indiana Sports Corp and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, returns to the Stutz on April 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market, inspired by international food festivals, gathers more than 50 vendors celebrating Indianapolis as a crossroads of sport, food, art, music and culture.
Admission is free, with food, beverages and art available for purchase. A special MOKAO section will feature artisan coffee and chocolate vendors. More information is available at epicureanindy.com.
Walking tours and theatre
Five Indiana University Herron School of Art + Design students have been selected to create original commemorative posters and postcards inspired by the Final Four, which will be distributed free to visitors throughout the weekend. Final designs and pickup locations will be announced before the tournament.
Historian and Through2Eyes founder Sampson Levingston will lead walking tours within the Mile Square footprint, stopping at key SWISH activations. Levingston, who has led more than 1,000 “Walk & Talks” in Indianapolis including during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, offers free reservations online.
From March 27 through April 4, the Asante Art Institute presents “A Touch of Glory” at the Basile Theatre. The theatrical production tells the story of the 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-Black team to win a state championship in an integrated sport, through the eyes of benchwarmer Willie Burnley. In partnership with Project 44, attendees can join the national bone marrow registry during performances. Tickets are available online.
Sponsors for SWISH 2026 include Central Indiana Community Foundation, Downtown Indy Alliance, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation and The Lacy Foundation.
For a complete schedule and details on all SWISH activations, visit indyarts.org/swish-2026.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
