USI alumni and friends will receive this newsletter quarterly. You may subscribe to or unsubscribe from Connect Online at anytime by sending an email message to alumni@usi.edu. |
||||
|
||||
 |
Grant will Promote Artisans Trail in a Three-county Area
Historic Southern Indiana, an
outreach program of the University of Southern Indiana, has been awarded
a $10,000 Artisan Trail Development Grant to develop a Southwestern
Indiana by Hoosier Hands Trail showcasing local artisans and promoting
tourism in Evansville, New Harmony, and Newburgh, Indiana.
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman announced that eight Indiana
communities received grants totaling $75,000. The grants provide funding
for the development of trails, or geographic clusters of related
businesses and attractions, that promote Indiana artisans with an
emphasis on tourism.
“I congratulate these eight communities for developing projects which
encourage tourism in our state and support Hoosier artisans in their
entrepreneurial efforts,” Skillman said. “Developing artisan trails is
an innovative way to promote economic sustainability in Indiana.”
The grants are administered through the Indiana Artisan program, which
promotes Hoosier artisans and handmade products and is a joint venture
between the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the
Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana State Department of
Agriculture, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
The Southwestern Indiana by Hoosier Hands Trail will link galleries and
studios in Vanderburgh, Posey, and Warrick counties. A brochure
promoting the trail will include a map to help visitors travel from one
community to the next.
“Each of the communities included on the proposed artisan trail has a
thriving arts community,” said Leslie Townsend '88 M'08, director of
Historic Southern Indiana. “By tying them together as the Southwestern
Indiana by Hoosier Hands Artisan Trail we are offering visitors a
cohesive package which would be ideal for a weekend getaway and increase
tourism in this region. The trail will also increase exposure for the
artisans included and increase interest in other artisans on becoming
involved in the trail.”
Partner agencies who assisted with the grant and will be part of the
project are the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, the Evansville
Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Arts Council of Southwestern
Indiana, the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development, and
Historic Newburgh, Inc.
Other grantees were the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ohio
County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Madison Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Kokomo/Howard County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Lawrence County
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For more information on the grant program or Indiana Artisan, go to
www.IndianaArtisan.org.
