Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Arts Garden is a striking glass dome located at the intersection of Washington and Illinois Streets in downtown Indianapolis. This architectural gem, completed in 1995, functions as both a pedestrian bridge and a vibrant cultural venue. Owned and operated by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the Artsgarden connects the Circle Centre Mall with nearby office buildings and hotels through elevated walkways, serving as a key urban connector.

The Arts Garden, designed by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects with Blackburn Architects, is a glass dome elevated 17 feet (5.2 meters) above street level, reaching 95 feet (29 meters) at its peak. Its arched steel trusses form glass vaults, the tallest at 75 feet (23 meters), with a 110-foot (34 meters) free span supported by 185-foot (56 meters) girders. Using 32,000 square feet (3,000 square meters) of glass, it boasts a bright, open design.

The Artsgarden hosts over 300 performances annually, including artistic and musical events that showcase local talent and enhance the city’s cultural scene. It also houses the Cultural Concierge, a resource center providing arts and cultural information, maps, and visitor guides. Its role as both a performance space and an information hub makes it a cornerstone of Indianapolis's arts community.

Originally, the Arts Garden connected Circle Centre Mall's second level to Claypool Courts, with ground-level stairway access. In 2006, a connection was added to the Conrad Indianapolis Hotel, and in 2012, a long-planned link to the PNC Center and Hyatt Regency was completed, fulfilling its vision of seamless urban integration.

Perched high above one of the city’s busiest intersections, the Indianapolis Artsgarden stands as a symbol of modernity and creativity. Its innovative design and function as both an architectural landmark and a cultural venue make it a unique and cherished feature of downtown Indianapolis.