New 1,400-capacity venue marks the next major milestone in Butler’s long-term investment in arts, culture, and community connection, and honors the legacy of Allen Whitehill Clowes

Butler University officially broke ground today on the Allen Whitehill Clowes Ballroom (Whitehill Ballroom), marking the next major phase in the University’s broader vision for a vibrant Midtown Arts District and a more connected campus and community. 

Adjacent to Clowes Memorial Hall and the Schrott Center for the Arts, the Whitehill Ballroom will expand Butler’s role as a destination for arts, performances, events, and cultural experiences while strengthening the University’s position as a key anchor institution within Midtown Indianapolis. The project represents another significant milestone in Butler’s Gateway Project and Boldly Butler strategic vision, reinforcing the University’s commitment to creating spaces that strengthen connection, support creativity, and enrich community life. 

The groundbreaking marks the transition from years of planning into active construction and reflects Butler’s continued investment in places designed to serve students, artists, audiences, alumni, and Indianapolis residents alike. 

The Whitehill Ballroom will introduce a flexible new 1,400-capacity venue unlike any currently available on Butler’s campus and in the greater Midtown Indianapolis area. Designed to host live music, receptions, performances, University gatherings, and community events, the venue fills an important gap within Butler’s portfolio while creating opportunities for entirely new experiences and programming. The project was first unveiled during Butler’s December 2024 announcement of a transformative $9 million grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation—a gift supporting both the construction of the Whitehill Ballroom and the ongoing multi-phase renovation and expansion of Clowes Memorial Hall. 

As higher education institutions continue to adapt to changing expectations and evolving community needs, Butler views projects like the Whitehill Ballroom as investments not only in buildings but also in the experiences and connections that shape campus and civic life. 

“This is about much more than a building,” Butler University President James Danko said. “The universities that will thrive in the future are those willing to think differently about the role they play in the communities around them. Spaces matter because they shape how people connect, collaborate, and experience a place. The Whitehill Ballroom reflects our confidence in Butler’s future, Indianapolis’ future, and our belief that the arts remain essential to building vibrant communities.” 

The project further advances Butler’s emerging vision for the Midtown Arts District, which seeks to create a more connected and accessible arts ecosystem across Indianapolis. Anchored by Clowes Memorial Hall, the Schrott Center for the Arts, and the future Whitehill Ballroom, the Midtown Arts District reflects Butler’s growing investment in placemaking, cultural experiences, and arts accessibility throughout Midtown Indianapolis. 

Beyond physical spaces, Butler continues to expand arts-centered initiatives that create broader community impact. Programs such as the Arts Performance Fund and the Butler Arts Awards reflect the University’s commitment to supporting nonprofit arts organizations, empowering students, and creating meaningful cultural experiences throughout the region. The Whitehill Ballroom also honors the enduring legacy of Allen Whitehill Clowes—an Indianapolis philanthropist, civic leader, business executive, and one of the city’s most influential champions of the arts and humanities. Clowes helped establish Clowes Memorial Hall as a cultural landmark and believed deeply in the ability of the arts to enrich communities. Through the continued work of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, that vision continues to shape Indianapolis today. 

“The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation is proud to continue supporting a vision that strengthens arts, culture, and community throughout Indianapolis,” Dr. James Lemler, President of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, said. “Projects like the Whitehill Ballroom create gathering places that serve communities across generations and contribute to the long-term vitality of Midtown and our city.” 

Construction of the Whitehill Ballroom will be led by AECOM Hunt and begins immediately. The venue is anticipated to open in fall 2027 and will serve as an important new gathering space for students, artists, audiences, and the Indianapolis community for decades to come. 

Alongside the construction of the Whitehill Ballroom, work continues on the multi-phase renovation of Clowes Memorial Hall, where upgrades are enhancing accessibility, patron amenities, and performance capabilities while positioning the venue to host an expanded range of experiences in the years ahead. Together, these investments reflect Butler’s long-term commitment to strengthening the arts and creating spaces that serve audiences, artists, students, and the broader Indianapolis community.