The Indiana Museum of Art (IMA) in a press release on January 8th announced the acquisition of the former Eagles Lodge in downtown Logansport. Founded by Logansport natives Jason Myers and Andrew Miller, the IMA would be the only museum focused on contemporary art in Indiana, according to the statement.

The IMA is a registered non-profit organization and the purchase of the building was funded by local donors. Renovation costs for the building are expected to exceed $3 million and will be funded by grants and private donations.

A Lafayette architecture firm is preparing exterior elevations and floor plans to show the future renovations of the building. Their work was funded by a grant awarded to the IMA by the Cass County Community Foundation.

“From our very first meeting, Jason and I have shared a vision of the IMA becoming an iconic image and brand for our community,” Miller said in the press release. “Our aim is that the IMA project will be a cornerstone of Logansport’s future.”

IMA’s stated objectives are to increase “cultural diversity and art exposure” in Logansport and revitalizing Logansport’s downtown using the fine arts. They plan to use Myers’s connections within the art world to achieve that.

The IMA is planned to include international art exhibits including pieces from Haiti, Mexico, Italy and the Netherlands. They also plan to have interactive multimedia displays, workshops and classes, film screenings and workshops, and a stated goal of establishing a sister relationship with Napoli, Italy to create an exchange program.

“The purchase of this property in Logansport aligns perfectly with our vision to bring contemporary art to diverse communities throughout the state,” Myers said in the press release. “We recognize the importance of expanding our outreach and creating new opportunities for collaboration with local artists and cultural organizations.”

The IMA has reimagined a future for Logansport through the use of art. With the ever-increasing need for affordable housing Logansport could fill that need through art. The downtown area has seen revitalization in recent years but many larger buildings still remain unoccupied and dilapidated. The IMA says that turning these buildings into “artists’ colonies” where artists could live and work would increase the cultural activities of Logansport and raise the standard of living, as well as attract more visitors and businesses.

A public reception will be held at Vibrant Community Center to launch the IMA’s donation campaign.

“As we move forward with our plans for this exciting new space, we invite the community to stay connected with us for updates on future programming and events,” Miller said. “Together, we can cultivate a vibrant artistic environment that celebrates the uniqueness of our local cultures.