Historic New Harmony doesn't exist in isolation. We're part of a community: both the town of New Harmony and the broader region. We work with local organizations, regional nonprofits, cultural institutions and community groups on projects that benefit everyone involved.
Good partnerships are mutual. We're not just asking what communities can do for us, and we're not approaching partnerships as one-way service. We're looking for collaborations where both sides bring something to the table and both sides benefit from the work.
If your organization's mission connects to historic preservation, cultural heritage, education, community development or public programming, there might be ways we can work together.
We collaborate with New Harmony organizations on programs, events, preservation projects and initiatives that serve the town and its residents. These partnerships recognize that we're all working toward a healthy, vibrant community.
Museums, historic sites, libraries, archives and other cultural organizations in the region share resources, co-develop programs, loan materials and support each other's work. We're stronger when we collaborate rather than compete.
Nonprofits working on historic preservation, education, community development or related missions often find partnership opportunities with Historic New Harmony. We can share expertise, collaborate on grant projects, develop joint programming or support each other's goals.
Civic organizations, service groups, historical societies and other community groups sometimes partner with us on specific projects or programs. These collaborations connect our resources with community needs.
We work with partner organizations to develop programs, events or exhibitions that serve both our audiences. This might mean co-hosting lectures, collaborating on festivals or creating programs that combine our expertise with yours.
Sometimes partnerships mean sharing space, expertise, collections access or other resources. We have things other organizations need. Other organizations have things we need. Sharing makes everyone more effective.
Many funding sources favor collaborative projects. We partner with organizations on grant applications when our missions align and collaboration strengthens the project.
Schools, libraries and educational organizations sometimes partner with us to develop curriculum materials, field trip programs, teacher workshops or student projects. These partnerships help us reach learners beyond our regular visitors.
Organizations working on historic preservation, documentation or conservation sometimes collaborate with us on projects where our expertise or resources can help.
Community festivals, commemorations or special events sometimes benefit from partnership. We might co-host, provide historical context, offer space or contribute in other ways.
Good partnerships happen when organizations share compatible goals. We're interested in working with groups whose missions connect to historic preservation, education, cultural heritage or community development.
We want partnerships where both sides gain something valuable, whether that's reaching new audiences, sharing expertise, pooling resources or creating something neither organization could do alone.
The best partnerships have clear, agreed-upon goals and outcomes. We're not interested in vague collaborations that drift without purpose. We want to know what we're trying to accomplish together.
Some partnerships are project-specific and end when the project concludes. Others develop into ongoing relationships. Both are fine, but we're transparent about what's sustainable for us and what isn't.
We work with multiple community organizations, nonprofits and cultural institutions on various projects and programs. For a full list of our current partners and what we're working on together, see our partnerships page.
Interested in exploring partnership possibilities? Here's how to start:
Be Specific About What You're Thinking
"We should partner" is too vague. Come to us with a specific idea, project or goal in mind. What are you trying to do? How might collaboration help?
Consider What You Bring
Partnership means both organizations contribute. What does your organization bring to the collaboration? Resources, expertise, audiences, funding, connections?
Think About Fit
Does this partnership align with Historic New Harmony's mission and capacity? Does it align with yours? Good partnerships make sense for both organizations.
Reach Out
Contact us at harmony@usi.edu or 812-682-4488 to discuss your idea. We'll have a conversation about whether partnership makes sense, what it might look like and next steps.
We Can't Do Everything
Our staff is small and our capacity is limited. We can't partner on every good idea that comes our way. We have to make choices about where to invest our time and resources.
Partnership Isn't Free Labor
If what you really need is staff time or expertise without collaboration, that's not partnership—that's consulting or contract work.
Partnership Requires Time
Collaboration takes time: communication, coordination, planning, execution. Both organizations need capacity to invest in making the partnership work.
Want to explore whether partnership makes sense for your organization? Have a specific project in mind? Contact Diane Sanders at desanders@usi.edu or 812-682-4488. We're happy to have exploratory conversations even if they don't lead to formal partnerships.