Indiana Destination Development Corporation

University Art exhibit presented by Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, comprised of selected artwork for the inaugural Next Generation, is on display at the Clark Gallery in the Honeywell Center now through January 22. The exhibit showcases the talent and creativity of higher education students across Indiana. 112 pieces were entered, and 55 were chosen to be displayed. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dUNRswzs

How 70 Years of Design Philanthropy Transformed Columbus, Indiana: In the 1950s, Joseph Irwin Miller wanted to attract engineering talent to Cummins and accommodate a growing population due to the Baby Boom. He believed cutting-edge design would help draw the best and the brightest to his Midwestern town. Miller’s architectural experiment helped shape the town’s culture around a consensus that urban aesthetics matter. That legacy is carried on today by nonprofits like the Landmark Columbus Foundation.

The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail, an Elkhart County, IN CVB signature event, is one of the top festivals and events in North America, according to one of North America’s leading trade groups for travel and tourism. Destinations, an American Bus Association publication and the definitive guide to North America's best group travel destinations, state-by-state itineraries, planning calendars, and strategic insights, recently awarded the Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail a 2024 Best of the Best designation in the category of Festivals & Events. The Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail was chosen out of nearly 80 entries and was one of only seven selected in the Festivals & Events category.

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's Good Gravy! Family Coaster is up for USA 10 Best's Best New Theme Park Attraction! Voting is open until at noon on Monday, December 23rd. The family boomerang-style coaster took home Best Theme Concept at Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards. It was also a finalist in the categories of Best Family Coaster(#2), Best New Coaster (#4), and Best New Attraction Installation(#5). Beyond the ride, the marketing campaign that gained national attention earned an Indiana Tourism Association Award. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Thursday, January 2nd. Learn more and cast your vote!

The Anderson Madison County Visitors Bureau announced the launch of the Madison County Mural Trails, a vibrant new cultural initiative that invites visitors and locals to explore the rich history and artistic spirit of the region through a series of stunning murals. The Madison County Mural Trails connect communities across the county, offering a self-guided tour that showcases the work of local and regional artists. The trails will feature over 40 murals that tell a unique story, from celebrating Madison County’s heritage to honoring its natural beauty and diverse culture. The project aims to foster community pride, boost tourism, and support local artists by turning the county into an open-air gallery.

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites recently unveiled the newly transformed interpretive center experience at Angel Mounds State Historic Site, which highlights the unique cosmological connections plus modern perspectives of native descendants of the Mississippian culture and the special meaning this sacred site has in today's world. The experience opened to the public on Nov. 16 and marks the culmination of a two-year $6.5 million project in collaboration with federally recognized tribes. Today, visitors can immerse themselves in that culture as they explore palisade walls and engage in the stories of the past told by the living descendants of this Mississippian society.

The Santa Claus, Indiana, Post Office selected the special 2024 picture postmark for the upcoming holiday season. On Monday, December 2, the post office will begin offering the picture postmark to cancel the postage stamps on holiday mail again this year. This famous small-town post office is the only one in the world with the Santa Claus name and receives over 400,000 pieces of mail in December – compared to only 13,000 pieces of mail per month the rest of the year. This special picture postmark has been offered every Christmas season since 1983. Each year, the holiday postmark is designed by a local high school art student as part of an annual contest. Learn more below:

Don't forget to vote for the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana! Only 16 businesses remain in the running!

Elkhart County, IN CVB's nationally recognized, award-winning Quilt Gardens is getting bigger and better! The 2025 edition of Elkhart County’s signature event will have three new Quilt Gardens locations and one returning location, bringing the total to 16 in Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Shipshewana and Wakarusa. Learn more about the 2025 Quilt Gardens and Quilt Murals below:

IDDC Receives National Governors Association Recognition: Indiana – Innovative Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Case Study Oregon State University's Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy recently did a case study on our "IN Indiana" marketing campaign. The study cited the extensive "IN Indiana" toolkit, open-source format, unifying messaging, and more. Read the full case study below: