Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Grant will promote artisans trail in three-county area
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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, 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. Wendy Knipe Bredhold News & Information Services 812/461-5259 or wkbredhold@usi.edu |
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