A new initiative turns every performance at Butler into long-term support for local arts organizations—strengthening access, opportunity, and the future of the arts across Indianapolis. 

At Butler University, what happens on stage is only part of the story. 

With the launch of the Arts Performance Fund, Butler is turning every ticket sold at its venues into a direct investment in Indianapolis’ arts community. One dollar from every ticket purchased is set aside to support local arts organizations—building a long-term source of funding rooted in the shared experience of live performance. 

The idea is simple. The impact is not. 

At a time when arts organizations across the country are navigating rising costs and shifting audiences, Butler is stepping forward with a model designed to strengthen the full creative ecosystem—not just its own stages. 

“This is about extending the impact of what happens here,” said Aaron Hurt, Butler’s Vice President for Arts, Events, and Enterprise Management. “When someone comes to a show, they’re not just experiencing something in the moment. They’re now helping sustain the arts across Indianapolis. Clowes Memorial Hall was built in 1963 to be the arts center in Indianapolis.As programming has evolved over the last 60 years, we have an opportunity to change how we operate. Our goal is to set a new national standard for what a modern art center is and how it gives back. The Art Performance Fund is one shining example of our plan to live out that vision.”  

Since launching in June 2025, the fund has grown to approximately $150,000, with a goal of reaching $1 million by summer 2027 and $10 million over time. Beginning in 2027, those dollars will be reinvested directly into local arts organizations, supporting programming, expanding access, and helping creative work continue to take shape across the city. 

This approach reflects a broader belief: a thriving arts city is built together. No single venue or organization defines it. It’s the collective strength of many—and Butler is choosing to invest in that shared future. 

“At Butler, we believe the arts do more than entertain, they elevate us. They open minds, ignite creativity, and speak to the heart and soul,” said President James Danko. “By turning every ticket into an investment, we are extending the power of each performance to support and sustain the arts throughout Indianapolis.” 

That commitment is also visible in how the University is reimagining its campus and its connection to the city. 

Through Boldly Butler, Butler’s Gateway Project is transforming the University’s campus into a more open, connected front door to Indianapolis. At the center of that vision is the future Midtown Arts District, where performances, public gatherings, and everyday activity will come together—creating a space that reflects both the University and the city it calls home. 

Recent investments, including support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation to renovate Clowes Memorial Hall and construct a new 1,400-capacity ballroom, are helping bring that vision within reach. The Arts Performance Fund builds on that progress, ensuring that as Butler creates new spaces for the arts, it is also investing in the broader community that gives those spaces meaning. 

There are now more ways to be part of that work. In addition to the built-in ticket contribution, Butler is expanding opportunities for philanthropic support and introducing patron levels for those who want to invest more deeply in the future of the arts. More information on giving to the arts at Butler and supporting the Arts Performance Fund can be found here.   

Because this effort is not just about sustaining performances. It’s about expanding who gets to experience them. It’s about ensuring the arts remain a visible and defining part of life in Indianapolis. 

And it reflects something fundamental about Butler’s role in this city. 

Not just as a place where the arts are performed—but as a place committed to helping them endure.