Butler University’s Midtown Arts District has received an additional $5 million grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation (AWCCF) to further support renovations to Clowes Memorial Hall and construction of the Whitehill Ballroom, the University’s newest performance venue scheduled to open in December 2027. Combined with their 2024 investment in the project, the grant brings AWCCF’s total recent investment in the Midtown Arts District’s suite of venues to $14 million.
The gift was announced before a live audience in Clowes Memorial Hall by AWCCF President Jim Lemler on Friday evening, November 6, prior to opening night of Cinderella, an Indianapolis Ballet production in collaboration with Butler Arts and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). Clowes Memorial Hall was originally built in 1963 as a shared venue between Butler University and other major local and national arts groups, including the ISO.
“So many things are converging in the Midtown Arts District’s cornerstone facility, Clowes Memorial Hall, and in the new Whitehill Ballroom,” Lemler said. “The energy for community, arts, and learning is palpable as Butler University and its partners create an inspiring vision for the future. Allen Whitehill Clowes possessed a deep love for beauty, arts, and community in the Midtown neighborhood where he lived and led, which inspired the original construction of Clowes Memorial Hall as a grand space for performances and gatherings. Today, Allen’s legacy continues through a shared commitment to collaboration and accessibility, ensuring these world-class facilities serve artists and audiences across our entire city.”
The original 2024 investment from AWCCF breathed life into the vision for the Midtown Arts District, paving the way for its official designation as a Cultural District by the City of Indianapolis in September 2025. This momentum inspired additional philanthropic support, including a $1 million gift from Rollie and Cheri Dick, announced last month, to support the University’s efforts to expand stage access at its venues for local arts organizations. The now-named Rollie and Cheri Dick Arts Performance Fund will continue to grow in the coming years as Butler Arts directs $1 from every ticket sold at its venues to the Fund.
AWCCF’s most recent grant will address increased project costs caused by economic shifts and labor shortages over the past two years, thereby safeguarding the construction timeline and strengthening the Whitehill Ballroom’s long-term financial sustainability. This additional funding will help to ensure future earnings from Midtown Arts District venues can be reinvested directly into the community through expanded programming, broader access, and the growth of the Arts Performance Fund.
“The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation has been an extraordinary partner in helping us turn an ambitious vision into reality,” Aaron Hurt, Butler University Vice President for Arts, Events, and Enterprise Management, said. “Their continued belief in what we’re building at Butler University reflects a shared commitment to the future of the arts in Indianapolis. Our vision for the Midtown Arts District has always been about more than buildings and performance venues. We’re creating a place where artists and arts organizations can thrive, where new partnerships and opportunities can take shape, and where the arts can bring our community together in meaningful ways. With the continued support of AWCCF, we’re not simply expanding our campus; we’re helping shape the future of Indianapolis as a vibrant, thriving arts community for generations to come.”
Recent grant-funded renovations to Clowes Memorial Hall were completed in two phases over the summers of 2025 and 2026. Improvements to the flagship venue included amenity upgrades such as enhanced seating, new balcony railings to improve safety, and accessible restrooms for all genders on each floor. Production upgrades included a new stage floor and additional loading docks, allowing for smoother logistics and enhanced capabilities for accommodating large-scale events, including Broadway touring productions.
The Whitehill Ballroom, a 1,400-capacity music hall and flexible reception and event space, is projected to host 80 touring events and 30 private events annually. The exterior structure of the building is expected to be complete by January 2027, with an anticipated opening in December 2027. The venue honors the legacy of Allen Whitehill Clowes, whose lifelong commitment to the arts continues to inspire the next generation of cultural experiences at Butler University.
The Midtown Arts District and its expanded suite of venues is central to the University’s Boldly Butler strategic vision and its commitment to building a dynamic campus and community.
Boldly Butler is our commitment to setting the standard for delivering a transformative education with local impact and global reach. To achieve this strategic vision, we’ve launched the Boldly Butler comprehensive fundraising campaign, the largest in Butler’s history, with a goal of raising $325 million by May 31, 2030. Learn more or make a gift today at boldly.butler.edu.