INDIANAPOLIS — Big changes are coming to the near south side of Indianapolis in the new year.

The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) expansion is set to open May 1, 2026.

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Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026

The cultural campus, located in the Garfield Park and Bean Creek neighborhoods, consists of the CAMi main building, the Tube Gallery (formerly Tube Factory art space), and a public green space and art park.

“We’re looking at CAMi as art in a really broad sense. You get culinary arts, performing arts, you can a concert or a play. It’s also a space where you can have conferences,” Executive Director of Big Car Collaborative Jim Walker said.

This $7 million renovation transforms a 125-year-old former dairy barn and industrial space into a 40,000 square foot hub for art, performance, food, sound and creative enterprise.

“When we came here in 2015, before we bought this property, half the houses were vacant. These two factories were vacant,” Walker said. “It went from this sort of forgotten, somewhat falling-down houses that were boarded up to this totally different place that’s really vibrant and definitely an anchor for the south side.”

The five-acre campus also includes 18 homes for long-term and visiting resident artists.

One of those artists, Rob Funkhouser, says Big Car has been fundamentally life-changing.

“When they started this affordable housing program, I was able to buy into a situation where, as long as I care to keep working, I know that my housing costs won’t go up,” Funkhouser said. “Being able to keep cost of living low and keep costs down allow artists to focus on their medium more often.”

Funkhouser says the CAMi expansion will further enrich the neighborhood he calls home.

“This feels like we’re settling in and growing up a bit,” he said.

Garfield Park Neighbors Association President Rich Whitney agrees.

He’s excited for what the expansion will bring in 2026.

“The first ten years for GPNA has been about getting our footing, getting our neighbors involved, having events, connecting with the neighbors. This second phase is really gonna be about economic development, trying to pull people from Bean Creek and Garfield Park together,” Whitney said.

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Nico Pennisi is the In Your Community reporter for Downtown Indy. He joined WRTV in October 2022. His passion has always been telling the stories of people who often get overlooked. Share your story ideas and important issues with Nico by emailing him at nico.pennisi@wrtv.com.

INDIANAPOLIS — A record number of volunteers came together this weekend to make the holidays brighter for families across Indianapolis.

Jewish Family Services wrapped up its largest-ever Adopt-a-Family event, supporting 100 households with gifts, clothing and essential supplies.

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More than 1,500 volunteers help make holidays brighter for Indianapolis families

More than 1,500 community members gathered inside the JCC Laikin Auditorium, turning the space into a holiday workshop filled with wrapping stations, service projects and family-friendly activities.

In addition to gift donations, the event helped restock Popsie’s Pantry, Jewish Family Services’ community food pantry. The pantry provides groceries, personal care items and household essentials.

Julie Sondhelm, Clinical Director at Jewish Family Services, says the need in the community continues to grow.

“Every week, families come to us for essentials like food, laundry detergent and diapers,” she said. “These items are costly, and many simply can’t make it through the month.”

This year’s program supported 305 individuals. Organizers say one of the most meaningful parts of the event is seeing families volunteer together, teaching children early about generosity and community responsibility.

A longtime supporter shared that their own family has been involved for 20 years, and the tradition has strengthened their connection to the community. Kids participate by selecting gifts, wrapping them and learning firsthand the impact of giving.

Jewish Family Services says the continued growth of Adopt-a-Family reflects a community-wide commitment to showing up for neighbors during the holiday season.

To learn more about the program or ways to support local families, click HERE.