Indy Airport, City Officials, Inarf Spotlight Hoosier Artists With Disabilities

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2025) – Today more than 100 Hoosier artists were spotlighted and honored at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) for their creative contribution to the Central Indiana community. The event celebrated more than 70 art pieces on exhibit at the Indy airport, a creative platform providing visibility to more than 10 million people from around the world.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority hosted the event, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and Ability Indiana. The event also recognized March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“The Indy airport, having the most visited public art gallery in Central Indiana, is the perfect place to give our fellow Hoosier artists who navigate life with disabilities an international spotlight and opportunity to be seen and known,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director.

INARF, a lead partner in this annual event, was established more than 50 years ago and champions support for more than 50,000 members annually and employs nearly 15,000 workers. INARF drove the idea of leveraging the Indy airport to showcase Hoosier artists with disabilities, and participation has grown considerably over the last three years from 22 art contributions to 70-plus included in this year’s exhibit.

“INARF and Ability Indiana are excited to partner with the Indianapolis Airport Authority for the third year in a row to promote the exemplary artistry of individuals with disabilities,” said Katy Stafford-Cunningham, president and chief executive officer of INARF and Ability Indiana. “Today’s celebrated exhibit includes art pieces from local artists within INARF member organizations, Abilities Services, Inc., The Arc of LaGrange, The Arc of Greater Boone County, Child Adult Resource Services – CARS, Janus Developmental Services, Inc., New Hope of Indiana, Inc., Noble, Inc., Pathfinder, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Rauch, RBR Alliance – Blue River Services, Stone Belt, and Wabash Center, Inc.”

The Ability Indiana Program creates a partnership among the public and private sectors to enhance employment and training opportunities for Indiana’s citizens with disabilities. This coordinated effort provides an opportunity for individuals to achieve greater self-worth and esteem, improved economic independence and social inclusion. The event included popcorn from DoGoodies, a social enterprise program through Opportunity Enterprise that provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Opportunity Enterprise is a Certified Ability Indiana Organization and an INARF Member.

“The City of Indianapolis is proud to celebrate the artists whose stunning work is now on display at the Indianapolis International Airport,” said Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas. “Throughout the month of March, those who visit our city will not only get to see these beautiful works of art, but they will also get to learn the unique stories of our disabled community.”

For some of these artists, this event marks their first visit to the airport. That’s the case for Yazhane Lee, whose art “The Meaning of Spring” is on display. She chose to create a mosaic flower design because she knew this piece would be at the airport during the spring. Her favorite part of visiting the airport was experiencing the iconic light and sound art in IND’s pedestrian bridge.

IND Arts and Culture Program

Today’s celebrated exhibit is part of the Indy airport’s arts and culture program, which not only supports but creates an environment where art and culture can thrive. The program brings both permanent and temporary art collections to the Indy airport both pre- and post-security areas of the terminal. Most of the collections were created by artists who live in Indiana or have ties to the Hoosier state.

Indy airport data also shows that 80 percent of travelers notice the art in the terminal, 89 percent find it an aesthetically pleasing addition to the terminal, and 69 percent say it positively impacted their travel experience through IND. In addition, a representative 60 percent of airport guests have stopped during their travel through the airport to study one of the exhibits.

To learn more about the Indy airport’s arts and culture program, visitIND.com/PublicArt.

Accessible Customer Service Amenities at IND

IND offers accessible areas to help everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and respected when they visit. The terminal’s design, services, and amenities were created with accessibility in mind, and it remains a top priority in both daily operations and whenever renovations are considered. IND also offers sensory inclusion amenities to help thosewith social or emotional differences such as PTSD, Autism, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s including sensory rooms on both concourses, complimentary sensory bags, pet relief areas for service dogs, and personalized assistance navigating security and the terminal.

To learn more about available amenities, visit https://www.ind.com/civil-rights.

MEDIA MATERIALS/ART LIST: For photos, video and a full list of featured artists in today’s celebrated exhibit, click here.