Indianapolis has excellent museums and art galleries that are all worth a visit whether you are a resident Hoosier (the name given to a citizen of Indiana) or a visitor. If your time is limited, we suggest our top three museums and our top three arts venues.
Museums
Indiana Medical History Museum
Sited in the old pathology building on the grounds of the now closed Central State Hospital, this museum offers a tour that shows off old medical equipment, preserved medical specimens and more. The museum is the oldest pathology building in the country and is in the National Register of Historic Places. There are tours on the hour, but in December and January the museum is only open on Saturdays. Discounts for university students.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Located within White River State Park on the west-side of Downtown, the museum is the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The museum focuses on Native American history featuring artefacts, art and history about the nation’s first people. The museum also features western art by T. C. Cannon, N. C. Gwyneth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, and Kay Walkingstick. The museum hosts occasional lectures, plays and music with discounts for students and seniors. Children under four free. Free parking with validation.
Indiana Historical Society
Also on the west-side of Downtown, this is a fascinating museum for those interested in the people and places that make up the entire state of Indiana. A state-of-the-art research library, music room, film viewing room, souvenir shop and café means you can stay all day. The Indiana Experience collection rotates every eight to twelve months including the exhibitions “A Century of Black Film”, “Hoosiers in Hollywood” and “The Faces of Lincoln”. Discount for seniors and children, with a free pass to children under 4.
Arts
29 Madame Walker Theatre
West-side of Downtown is the location of the headquarters, built in the early 1900s, for the first self-made female millionaire, Madam C. J. Walker. Walker came from life in the cotton fields to start her own line of beauty products for African American women. You can visit the original salon where people can still get their hair done, see a concert or play at the theatre and take a tour of the grounds. Discounts for students and seniors, children under 5 free.
Indianapolis Art Center
Founded in 1934, the Indianapolis Art Center continues to be one of the Mid-west’s premier community arts centers. Here you can see local art exhibits, take an affordable art class, relax and read a book in the beautiful library and shop at the art gallery gift store.
Domont Studio Gallery
Situated south-east of Downtown, west of Fountain Square, sits the gallery and studio for artist John J. Domont who specialises in modern Indiana landscapes. The gallery is a beautiful space located in the historical Fletcher Place area where you can see the artist at work and buy a piece direct.