The Madam Walker Legacy Center (MWLC) officially “broke sky” on its rooftop renovations. 

Community members gathered at the MWLC on Feb. 4 alongside city officials and philanthropic, higher education and tourism partners to celebrate the “sky breaking” of the institution’s rooftop expansion. The renovations, outlined as a key objective in the Center’s 2023-2027 strategic plan, are scheduled to open in spring 2026, facilitating cultural events. 

“As we approach our centennial anniversary next year, this sky-breaking represents the Walker’s latest step of a tenacious journey, one grounded in preserving the history that the center was paved on, while elevating the offerings and experiences brought to our community and its visitors,” Kristian Stricklen, president and CEO of the MWLC said.  

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The “sky breaking” ceremony follows the establishment of an $8 million endowment set to provide long-term support for the MWLC’s core operations, historic preservation, cultural programming and strategic initiatives, Stricklen said. 

MWLC Board Chair Nichole Wilson remembers when the building was “not in its best day,” and said seeing the transformation in the last 11 years she’s been on the board has been incredible. 

“It’s phenomenal to know that it’s sustainable,” Wilson said, “to know that we have an endowment now, and for us to be able to expand our venue space and have something as attractive as a rooftop and set us on the map to attract more business to the city and more opportunities for people to gather.” 

Wilson said the idea to expand the MWLC’s reach by incorporating a rooftop venue was generated during one of the institution’s board meetings.  

“It was during a time when rooftop spaces were on the rise in the community and very popular with rooftop parties,” Wilson said. “Knowing that we have the iconic sign on top of the building, we started the investigative process to see, ‘Was the building in such a shape? Or could it be in a shape where we could have a rooftop?” 

After working with architects and inspectors who investigated the building’s structure, Wilson said it was determined that the MWLC was a good candidate for renovating the rooftop into a venue that would be usable and rentable, adding to the sustainability of the Walker Center. 

This rooftop venue can host events for up to 50 people. There is a version of the roof that holds more, but Wilson said the MWLC would have to fundraise a little more for that in the future. In the meantime, the newly renovated rooftop will accommodate private receptions and intimate gatherings for local celebrities and guests, concerts and private events when different conferences come into town.  

While the Walker Center’s theater and ballroom are sought-after destinations for events, Wilson said a rooftop celebration would be a great way for Hoosiers to open their events to the city.  

Visitors tend to seek out “authentic, iconic spaces” in the cities they travel to, Chris Gahl, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Visit Indy, said. The MWLC’s ability to continue growing through this expansion is “critically important for our city,” and it benefits Indianapolis’ ability to drive more visitors to the city. 

“It’s such a historic, iconic symbol in the city skyline, and for it to not only be protected but celebrated and grow will help us grow tourism,” Gahl said. “It’s historically relevant, the art and culture inside is sought after by our visitors, and so this is a space that we have long leaned on to help drive tourism.” 

Mayor Joe Hogsett agreed with this sentiment, stating the MWLC stands as a monument to the resilience of the neighbors, creatives and business owners who once called Indiana Avenue home. As Hoosiers celebrate institutions like the Walker Center during Black History Month, it’s important to remember the building is more than just a landmark, Hogsett said. 

Indiana Avenue plays a critical role in celebrating and protecting the history and cultural identity of our city, and Gahl said it is rewarding to know that from a tourism perspective, people all over the globe travel to Indianapolis, with the intention of stepping foot inside the Walker Center. 

“Today’s sky breaking ceremony proves that Walker Legacy Center is the cultural touchstone of ours that remains just as relevant and just as preeminent as it ever was,” Hogsett added. “This new rooftop performance venue will add so much to our city’s thriving creative economy and the vibrancy of our downtown life. I do not exaggerate when I say that it is projects like this one that are cementing Indianapolis as a top global destination.” 

The Madam Walker Legacy Center’s rooftop venue is scheduled to open on April 30 or May 1, 2026. For more information, visit madamwalkerlegacycenter.com. 

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. 

Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor’s in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.