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Art lovers view an exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, one of Indianapolis' many cultural offerings.
A city’s culture is more than local amenities. It also can be an economic driver, as Indianapolis has ably demonstrated. Thanks to a recent grant, the Indiana University School of Physical Education and Tourism Management at IUPUI is positioned to be a key player in advancing the city’s cultural tourism initiative.
The $150,000 grant from the Efroymson Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, will enable the school’s Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management (TCEM) to enhance its education and training initiatives. The grant will allow the school to host an annual conference on cultural tourism, provide funds for a cash award honoring best practices, and support student scholarships and faculty research.
“Because of the expertise it offers, TCEM offers an important resource for the city,” said Jeremy Efroymson, vice chairman of the Efroymson Fund. “This is especially important at a time when Indianapolis is putting so much emphasis on cultural tourism.” Efroymson believes TCEM’s involvement will help establish a nationally recognized program, and, in turn, raise the school’s profile.
Developed by the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission, the cultural tourism initiative is an important component of an overall tourism plan that emphasizes the total Indianapolis experience for residents and visitors. The initiative’s goal is to build and promote a thriving cultural scene, making Indianapolis a national and international destination for the arts and the city’s unique celebrations, traditions, and experiences.
Sotiris Avgoustis, associate professor and TCEM chair, said that the grant represented the first time TCEM received funds for a purpose other than scholarships and was the department’s largest gift ever received.
Avgoustis said TCEM will bring together people and organizations working on individual projects and assist them in building alliances to keep the initiative moving forward.
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to the department,” Avgoustis said.
And a good thing for Indianapolis as well.
—Brett McLaughlin
Learn more about the IUPUI Department of Tourism, Conventions and
Event Management.
Learn more about the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art.