An Indianapolis memorial to Thomas Taggart, who served as mayor from 1895 to 1901, will be transformed into an amphitheater for outdoor performances.
Funding is set to come from a $9 million grant from the measure known as the “Strengthening Indianapolis Through Arts and Cultural Innovation” initiative, which is part of Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The present memorial dates back to 1931, and stands in Riverside Park. Once the transformation is complete, the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company will perform free performances of the Bard's works there. The venue will also be home to the free movie series and summer concerts put on by Indy Parks. Cultural performances and arts events will also be held at the amphitheater throughout the year.
Lori Hazlett, the president of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, said the organization was proud to be able to facilitate the application process on behalf of the theater and other arts organizations. The new theater will retain the mayor's name: it will be the Taggart Memorial Mainstage Amphitheater.
Hazlett went on to say that the restoration and transformation of the memorial is a visionary step in the fulfillment of the Riverside Park Master Plan, and one which should inspire investment in the park and its future.
No completion date has been set for the project, but when completion is in sight, ceremonies signaling the opening of venues like this can be enhanced with banner printing to announce its opening.
