Programs

Wheeler Arts is the result of a unique collaboration between the University of Indianapolis and the Southeast Neighborhoods of Indianapolis. It occupies what was once an abandoned carburetor factory in the Fountain Square area, just three miles north of campus. The building now contains 36 artist studio and loft apartments housing professional painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, and dancers.

It includes a community theatre, oil painting studios, a small gallery, community programs offices, and classroom space, along with service-learning and arts education programs. The Community Programs Center at Wheeler Arts involves community-based activities, offers space to school programs, and provides office space for the Indiana Theatre Association. The CPC coordinates the scheduling of the classroom space, plans and schedules community-oriented classes, develops new programs for Wheeler Arts, and publicizes Wheeler Arts events and courses.

The Community Programs Center generated the dynamic long-term partnership between Southeast Community Services, Southeast Health Center, and UIndy to enhance the social and health services provided by the agencies to the residents of the southeast neighborhoods of Indianapolis. The partners provide comprehensive services to residents while providing valuable service-learning and professional practice opportunities to UIndy students, staff, and faculty.

Participating academic disciplines include Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, and Applied Sociology. The Center includes University classrooms, conference rooms, offices, exam rooms, counseling rooms, medical lab, computer lab, fitness room, and a community research center.

The partnership between the Southeast Neighborhoods of Indianapolis and the University is coordinated by the Community Programs Center, providing technical assistance, conducting surveys for Southeast Neighborhoods, and linking the neighborhood with University resources. Southeast Neighborhoods also provides additional service-learning and volunteer placement sites.

The Community Programs Center is a resource center for service-learning courses offered by various academic units for community outreach opportunities. It provides materials and workshops on service learning to faculty and staff.

It schedules and offers community service-learning courses, publicizes community service learning opportunities to the campus community and even coordinates and publicizes grants available for service-learning activities. The CPC also coordinates the minor in “Civic Engagement and Community Leadership”.

The CPC oversees the UIndy partnership with the Laurelwood Apartments (an Indianapolis Housing Agency Community) and the Baxter Branch of the Indianapolis YMCA. The program provides weekly youth programs to resident children ages 6-16 conducted by UIndy student volunteers and service learning students.

The Laurelwood Partnership was established in 1995 and continues to provide rich learning experiences and wonderful friendships for Laurelwood residents and university students alike.

In addition to youth programming, UIndy is involved with Laurelwood through classroom projects, grant writing proposals, student service group efforts, and graduate student assistance. For more information please contact the Community Programs Center.

College Mentors is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of at risk youth in nearby IPS schools. College Mentors for Kids has over 1000 kids that we mentor at several universities statewide. Here at the University of Indianapolis, we mentor sixty first through fourth graders from two different IPS schools. Our activity days are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 pm. Our volunteers are required to choose between either of the days for the entire semester. Our mentors work with the kids in a group activity that promotes higher education, culture and diversity, and community service. For more information, or to get involved, please contact the Community Programs Center.

Through the effort of the CPC, the University of Indianapolis serves as a community partner in the Bridges to Success (BTS) programs of IPS #20, #44, and #114. BTS is an initiative of the United Way of Central Indiana and Indianapolis Public Schools that works to create successful students through enduring family, school, and community partnerships. The CPC also supports the student-run chapter of College Mentors for Kids (a mentor program with IPS #20 and #114).

The Volunteers in Service (VIS) program seeks exciting volunteer opportunities and publicizes the opportunities to the campus community. The CPC/VIS program also coordinates the cataloging of individual student volunteer hours for transcript notation. The CPC/VIS program oversees the selection and recognition of the annual student volunteer and service-learning awards at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

This program offers international service-learning courses and experiences. It publicizes international service-learning opportunities and promotes service-learning at University of Indianapolis cooperative sites in Greece, Belize, and Africa.

During this event we provide the opportunity for UIndy students to network with representatives of numerous organizations with which they may be able to complete their service-learning project.

At this forum students, faculty, and staff meet and network with residents and organization leaders from the southeast community. Time is provided for networking opportunities as well as a short program on service initiatives in the area.

Residents and artists of the Wheeler Arts Community open their studios and feature installation art as well as guest artists. Musical entertainment sets the mood for a great evening!

This expo provides the opportunity for UIndy students to showcase their service work in the community.

In partnership with the Indianapolis Downtown Artists Dealers Association, Wheeler Arts Center hosts First Fridays, when 36 studios of artists of all media open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. First Fridays are an opportunity to marvel at the unique character of the exquisite building, enjoy dynamic artwork, and mingle with residents and guests.

The CPC presents awards for outstanding service-learning and outstanding volunteerism to both undergraduate and graduate students. An award for outstanding community partner also is presented annually.