Frank and Katrina Basile
Frank and Katrina Basile love the arts.
The Indianapolis couple helps support arts organizations across the city, including the Indianapolis Arts Center, the Phoenix Theatre, Storytelling Arts of Indiana, the Indiana Theatre Association, and the Indiana Historical Society. With their recent gift to the Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI, the Basiles are creating a legacy that will further enrich the beauty and culture of Indianapolis for years to come.
“We recognize that Herron plays a central role in our arts community, and we want to support that,” says Frank. The Basile Center for Art, Design and Public Life at Herron will help train students who aspire to be professional artists and designers by making it possible for them to work on real-world commissions from community clients, such as Governor Mitch Daniels, the Pacers Corporation, and Celadon Trucking Inc.
“Katrina and I believe in helping new artists emerge and grow,” says Frank. “That’s at the heart of what this center does for these students and is part of our personal mission.” Consequently, the creative projects will challenge the students to juggle their own inspiration with a client’s needs and deadlines, something every successful professional artist must do.
In turn, the Basile Center will serve as a resource of talent for Indianapolis, where community organizations, private companies, and even the government will find new artistic visions with which to beautify urban life. By encouraging these successful partnerships between students and the community, Frank and Katrina are adding value to Indianapolis’ thriving arts scene.
As art patrons, the couple couldn’t be happier. “I get a lot a personal satisfaction from helping arts organizations reach their goals,” Katrina says. “Being a native of Indianapolis, I am especially pleased with what has happened with the revitalization of Indianapolis in the last 10 or 15 years. If we can help in a small way, we want to do so.”
Frank also feels that art, like the public sculptures he sees as he commutes throughout the city, gives people a chance to reflect on beauty. “It adds to the enjoyment people have in their lives,” he remarks. “It’s uplifting to see art. It certainly brings a smile to my face. And it often carries a message that stimulates thought. That’s positive.”