Updated Tue, July 14, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC
WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Local leaders said access to art and culture is key for a thriving community.
The Wabash River Regional Development Authority has received more than 2.5 million dollars in READI 2.0 Arts and Culture funding.“Arts and culture falls in that quality-of-life bucket. It provides, really, things for people to do in the community. As you can see, two of the largest awards in our region occurred right in the downtown city of Terre Haute. We’re very proud of that and happy to see some outside state dollars going towards downtown revitalization,” said Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun.Thanks to READI 2.0 Arts and Culture funding, projects from Arts Illiana, the city of Terre Haute, Terre Haute Parks and Recreation and the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board are moving forward. The Terre Haute Children’s Museum received 500,000 dollars for an 8th St. Playscape and event lawn.“The first part will be attached to the museum and will be fenced in and will be a part of your admission to the museum. The other part will be a sitting park and event lawn where we can have performances, art shows, all types of really neat things that we really want to bring to the area,” said Kayla Dowell, Director of Donor Relations at Terre Haute Children’s Museum.The space will be inspired by the Wabash River and the city of Terre Haute.“So, you’re going to see lots of bright colors and lots of beautiful things. But it’s all going to be kid- and family-friendly. It’s going to be accessible for our friends with accessibility needs, it’s going to be sensory friendly, and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Dowell.The goal is to have the space finished by fall of 2028.
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