From the builders of some of America’s earliest railroads and farms to Civil Rights pioneers to digital technology entrepreneurs, Indian Americans have long been an inextricable part of American life. “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” explores the Indian American experience and the community’s vital political, professional, and cultural contributions to American life and history. The exhibition moves past pop-culture stereotypes of Indian Americans to explore the heritage, daily experience, and diverse contributions of Indian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. Weaving together stories of individual achievement and collective struggle, “Beyond Bollywood” uses photography, narrative, multimedia, and interactive stations to tell a uniquely American story, while conveying the texture, vibrancy, and vitality of Indian American communities.

“Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The Mathers Museum’s presentation of the exhibit has been generously funded by Indiana University alumnus Robert N. Johnson, the Madhusudan and Kiran C. Dhar India Studies Program, the Asian American Studies Program, and the Department of American Studies. Gallery is open 9am-4:30 pm Tues-Fri and 1pm-4:30pm Sat/Sun.

Free visitor parking is available by the Indiana Avenue lobby entrance. Metered parking is available at the McCalla School parking lot on the corner of Ninth Street and Indiana Avenue. The parking lot also has spaces designated for Indiana University C and ST permits. During the weekends free parking is available on the surrounding streets.An access ramp is located at the Fess Avenue entrance, on the corner of Ninth Street and Fess Avenue. Reserved parking spaces are available on Ninth Street, between Fess Avenue and Indiana Avenue. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Please call 812-855-6873.

The #WorldVisionExperience is making a stop here at ECC on April 8-10, 2016! Mark your calendars–you won’t want to miss it! This mobile truck experience will allow us to hear life-changing stories of children in some of the hardest places in the world. We hope to see you there!

Visitors to the Experience will step into a “global village” contained inside a tractor trailer in a church’s parking lot. Inside they will don headsets and walk through an inspiring 20-minute journey with four people from around the world: Reshma, Ali, Moses, and Junior. They will walk into the heart of the most pressing causes of our time: human trafficking, the refugee crisis, and the protection of vulnerable children. The true, life-changing stories within the exhibit will open eyes to untold stories going on around the world and inspire people to follow the example of Jesus by going to the margins to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children and families.

The World Vision Experience exhibit will be at ECC 503 S. High St. on April 8-10. Groups of 10 or more can make reservations online at http://bit.ly/1X8yufi, and walk-ups are welcome.

On Friday, April 8th, beginning at 6:00p.m, The Venue will host a reception for the exhibition of The Art & Soul of Bloomington, The Venue’s Juried Art Show.
Over the last several months, the Venue has challenged artists, in all mediums, to create works that capture the spirit, the essence of Bloomington. The result of their efforts is overwhelming. Three very qualified art Jurors then selected, in their collective judgment, the twenty-five pieces that best manifested that theme, to compose the body of The Art & Soul of Bloomington, the Venue’s Juried Art Show.
On Friday, The Venue will host a reception for The Art & Soul of Bloomington. Some of the participating artists will be present, and you will have the opportunity to view and shop one of the finest art shows in the Venue’s history. See the paintings awarded Best in Show and Silver Best in Show, and vote for the People’s Choice Cash Award.
Special refreshments will be served, so join us