About partners for livable

participant input.
THe FUTURe
For over a decade CNT has produced and operated a successful cultural tour model for the city of Chicago 
and for other metropolitan areas to emulate. Currently, CNT has developed three new tours for the 2009 
season to accentuate its already extensive tour schedule, including a tour focused on the centennial 
anniversary of the Burnham Plan of Chicago. Based on the popularity of the tours, with most selling out, 
the demand from the public is apparent. CNT will continue to function until the city’s neighborhoods 
become frequent destinations for the public and awareness of the diverse cultural and heritage aspects of 
each is widely known across the city.

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Cultural Heritage Tourism
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INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
IMPORTANT LeSSONS
• Partnership structure
• Cultural District process
MISSION/GOALS
The Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission supports and encourages an environment where arts 
and culture flourish, and lets the world know about Indy’s vibrant cultural scene.
Some of the goals that ICDC expressed in conversation were to:
• Stimulate increased cultural participation by residents
• Maximize the cultural experiences for existing and event visitors
• Strengthen Indianapolis and Central Indiana as a unique cultural destination to attract new tourists.
• Build a sustainable environment to support cultural development
Indianapolis skyline at sunset. Photo credit: Rudy Balasko.

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Cultural Heritage Tourism
HISTORY
Initiated by Mayor Bart Peterson in 2001, the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission (ICDC) 
was formed as an economic development resource focused on using art and culture as methods of capital 
formation. Mayor Peterson had a historic relationship with local community art organizations and 
recognized the advent of cultural tourism as a tool for citywide economic development.
The first budgeted year for the commission was in 2002 receiving $5 million in public funding that was 
matched by a $5 million private grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., a local private endowment foundation. 
The $10 million was to be used over the course of 5 years with a 9 person oversight committee, whereby 
6 would be appointed by the mayor and 3 would serve from ICDC’s partner organizations.
STRUCTURe
ICDC is a public/private commission with capital support from the city and private funding from Lilly 
Endowment, Inc. Administration of the funding received is the role of ICDC and implementing the 
various cultural programs is the responsibility of each of ICDC’s partner organizations. The commission 
is staffed by one full-time director/administrator. Additional administrative assistance is provided by the 
Capital Improvement Board. Programs include public art, cultural districts, marketing and grants, and 
public awareness.