Leah is a Midwesterner by way of North Carolina roots and brings her passion for storytelling to all of her endeavors. Her time in Indy began with her education at Butler University, but Leah has since followed her investment in the city’s arts and culture through her career in arts administration and cultural organizations. With experience in roles spanning advancement, communications, and community engagement, Ollie tells Indy’s story with the Indy Chamber as Digital Communications Specialist.
Insider Guide: First Fridays in Indianapolis
Looking for a night out that’s affordable, creative, and full of good company? On the first Friday of every month, galleries and studios across the Indy region open their doors for one of our best art traditions.
Indy’s arts and culture scene has plenty of entry points. On any given weekend, you can roam galleries filled with centuries-old art, dance the night away at a jazz bar, or hear world-class musicians at the symphony. And while we’re known for our strengths in sports, economic development, and bioscience, our creative economy keeps building too.
First Fridays are an easy place to start. From globally accredited museums to locally owned galleries, arts organizations across the region offer free or discounted programming each month, a standing invitation that affirms the arts in Indy are for all. So, if you’re looking for a little creative inspiration or a place to connect with fellow art lovers, First Fridays is the perfect starting place.
Open Every First Friday
These spots welcome you in month after month, with new work to see and local artists to meet. Just pick a neighborhood and start exploring!
1. Harrison Center
Located in the heart of the Old Northside, the Harrison Center is a hub for creativity of all kinds. Its educational programming, rotating events, and accessible galleries make sure everyone is welcome to engage with the arts.
Every First Friday from 6–9 PM, you can explore free programming across eight gallery spaces. Each show follows a monthly theme and centers on local artists working in different mediums, often with live performances and food trucks on site. Come ready to be surprised!
2. Stutz Building
The Stutz is full of creativity on any given day. But during First Friday Open Studios, this downtown building invites you to experience art where it’s made. Artists across three floors host free open houses, and some share drinks, light refreshments, or personal insights into their works in progress.
Many local artists call the Stutz home, so it’s a great place to connect with them and support their work directly. You might even walk out with a new favorite piece for your gallery wall!
3. Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi)
Opened to the public in 2025 in Garfield Park on Indy’s south side, CAMi is more than meets the eye. Its campus houses an extensive collection of contemporary art, along with places to browse records, shop for plants and ceramics, and grab a drink.
With so many vendors on site, First Fridays can look a little different each month. Admission is free, so you’re always welcome to browse new exhibits across the campus. Just don’t miss the drop-in “skill share” classes at HQ Books & Records. These free workshops send you home with a project you made yourself!
4. Factory Arts District
A former automotive factory turned creative hub? That’s as Indianapolis as it gets! Located in Windsor Park on the Near East Side, this 16-acre campus is home to breweries, local shops, an infused glass studio, and dozens of artist-run galleries.
Each First Friday, studio artists open their doors and larger galleries debut new work, with more than 100 artists to discover along the gallery walk. Browse art for sale, check out wood and metal craftsmanship, catch live music, or gather around a table for food and drinks. And the best part: two free parking lots!
5. The Murphy Arts Center
A local institution in Fountain Square, The Murphy Arts Center is a multi-use space that’s home to restaurants, concert venues, nonprofits, and artist offices. Its open-format First Fridays give emerging and established artists a place to share their work.
Head to the second floor to see visual art filling the studios and hallways, then stop by the live music lounges and the pinball collective. Artwork is for sale every month, so come ready to support local artists and find your next favorite piece!
6. The Backlot
Representing Indy’s east side, The Backlot in Irvington is a community art hub hosting events for artists and neighbors alike. Between its Maker Space studio and an open venue set up for booth tabling, First Friday here is a perfect opportunity for local artists to build their platform.
Want to display and sell your own art? Check The Backlot’s website for availability at next month’s First Friday.
First Friday Exhibit Openings
These galleries celebrate each new exhibit with a First Friday reception, and they don’t happen every month. So, be sure to check the schedule before you head out!
1. Christel DeHaan ArtSpace at The Athenaeum
In the lobby of the Basile Theatre, the ArtSpace is a rotating gallery of independent artists from across the Indy region. It’s open to the public seven days a week during Coat Check Coffee’s operating hours, which gives you even more reason to grab a drink and browse the collection.
On a monthly or bimonthly basis, new exhibits are celebrated with a First Friday reception from 6–8 PM. For the full annual schedule, check out The Athenaeum’s website.
2. Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council
The Indy Arts Council serves the region’s arts community in countless ways, including Gallery 924. This nonprofit gallery highlights contemporary artists practicing across central Indiana through exhibitions, programming, and events.
Exhibitions rotate on a bimonthly schedule, connecting themes like identity, placemaking, and community. When a new show debuts, join the community for free drinks at a First Friday opening from 6–9 PM!
Related: Nightlife in Indianapolis
More Monthly Art Events
Can’t wait for the first Friday of the month? These events are also worth adding to your calendar.
1. Newfields
Technically, this one isn’t a First Friday. But on the first Thursday of every month, you can explore the entire Newfieldscampus for free! Each month brings a new lineup of special programming. Past highlights include tours of the Lilly House grounds, conservation workshops, open study of prints in the IMA collections, and film screenings in The Amphitheater.
Advance tickets are recommended but not required, and you can find each month’s specials on their website.
2. Creative Mornings
Creatives looking for community should check out the Indianapolis chapter of Creative Mornings. On the last Friday of each month, all are welcome to join for coffee and conversation with speakers from our regional creative industries.
No matter the topic, you’ll leave with a new friend, a full coffee mug, and inspiration for your next creative project. Join their email list for upcoming events and speaker details.
Discover even more art in Indy!
First Fridays are a reminder that in Indy, all are welcome to experience art. So, as you scan local events for your weekend plans, consider spending your next First Friday celebrating the creativity being built right here in our own backyard. Once you start exploring, you’ll never run out of new artists and spaces to love!