The grassroots, citywide collaboration known as IndyTalks will continue its mission to foster a sense of community through respectful and creative civic dialogue for third straight year. The 2012 IndyTalks series will explore the concept of “Indy at the Crossroads,” bringing together numerous cultural organizations as well as the general public.
Whether exploring historic crossroads, crucial present-day decisions confronting our city or the literal, physical crossroads of Indy’s neighborhoods, IndyTalks partners strive to create powerful learning experiences based on the idea that true dialogue can be transformative. IndyTalks offerings are a catalyst for deeper conservations, personal connections, and creative exploration.
Almost 30 years ago, Indianapolis came to the crossroads of who it wanted to be and decided to pursue an economic model based on amateur sports. Now, as the city faces a similar crossroads with rapidly changing demographics, a growing number of abandoned houses, a need for better transit and access to education, along with the desire to honor but move beyond the “amateur sports capital” moniker, Indy is once again poised to make choices that will shape its development and success.
IndyTalks partners will explore several kinds of issues and questions in 2012. What choices do we need to consider when deciding Indianapolis’ future direction? What are the consequences of not facing these crossroads boldly and with vision? Volunteers across Indianapolis are being trained to use the phrase “Have a Super Day” in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI, but how can citizens work to make every day a super day when the Super Bowl excitement fades away?
WFYI 90.1FM will again launch IndyTalks with a special broadcast of its call-in program NO LIMITS on Thursday, Jan. 12 at noon. Listeners can call, tweet or email questions asking how recent demographic changes revealed through the 2010 census will shape communities of the future.
Other program partners in 2012 include Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Arthur M. Glick JCC, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, Spirit & Place Festival, Big Car, Christian Theological Seminary, Indiana Humanities, and others.
Since its founding in the 1960s, more than half a million students have graduated from IUPUI. How has IUPUI shaped Indianapolis and vice versa? In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, the 2012 Joseph T. Taylor Symposium considers the connections between the university and city and how they have created a campus for the community. Presented by the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI with the Department of History.
