Art & Soul 2023

The 27th annual festival of Black art and music



About Art & Soul

Since 1996, Art & Soul has helped advance the careers of Black artists in Indianapolis. Each year, the festival kicks off Black History Month and features public events that celebrate Black visual art, music, dance, and literature. Art & Soul, presented by Indy Arts Council, is supported annually by Lilly Endowment Inc.

More than 600 people attended the 2023 festival. The grand finale, hosted at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, featured a musical tribute to international jazz legend Wes Montgomery, who would have turned 100 on March 6. Wes' youngest son, Robert Montgomery, spoke about his father's legacy and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett declared March 6 "Wes Montgomery Day" in the city. 

Art & Soul 2023 Events


Feb 3

Festival
Kickoff

Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council 
and The Cabaret


Feb 8

Featured Artist Showcase

The Jazz Kitchen


Feb 25

Celebration + Wes Montgomery Tribute

Indianapolis Artsgarden


11 places to remember Wes Montgomery in Indy

The talented jazz guitarist performed his music to packed houses all over the world, but he spent most of his time in Indianapolis.


12 great art & soul moments

That time Mari Evans paid tribute to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ’70s–and more.

2023 Featured Artists

Four featured artists are selected annually to be spotlighted at Art & Soul events and performances.
These artists also receive year-long career development support.

Brandon Douthitt | Jazz Musician
Adrienne D. Jackson
| Dancer
Jamichael Kyng Pollard
| Visual Artist
Crystal V. Rhodes | Author & Playwright


Brandon Douthitt

Jazz Musician

Adrienne D. Jackson

Dancer

Jamichael Kyng Pollard

Visual Artist

Crystal V. Rhodes

Author & Playwright

2023 Program Partners

The 27th annual Art & Soul, made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc., is presented by Indy Arts Council in partnership with Asante Art Institute, FLAVA FRESH !, iibada Dance Company, and Indy Jazz Fest. 

Keesha Dixon

Executive Director at Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis

D. Del Reverda-Jennings

Founder and Curator at FLAVA FRESH !

Roland Smith

President and CEO at iibada Dance Company

Rob Dixon

Artistic Director at Indy Jazz Fest

LOOKBACK: ART & SOUL 2022

Get to know last year's Featured Artists and explore Art & Soul history in posters.


FOLLOW @ARTSCOUNCILINDY AND #ARTSOULINDY ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER FOR UPDATES ON THE 2023 CELEBRATION

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Thank you to our funders

City of Indy logo
Lilly
Indiana Arts Commission
CICF
Clowes Charitable Foundation