A New Path to Downtown: HCCF Awards $10,000 Grant to Support Sheridan's ArtAlley

In Sheridan, IN, a simple alleyway between a fire station and a hardware store is taking on a new life as a gathering place where art, history, and community come together.

Now, with support from the Hamilton County Community Foundation and Sheridan community members, that vision is one step closer to reality. HCCF has awarded a $10,000 grant to Sheridan Main Street, Inc. (SMS) for their ArtAlley project, an initiative designed to enhance downtown vibrancy and celebrate the community’s historic character through public art.

“Our crowdfunding campaign was responded to by over 110 local donors. We are proud of that. However, the SMS goal that our ArtAlley be ‘stunningly unique’ could not have happened without the HCCF support,” commented Cindy Keever, President, Sheridan Main Street, Inc. “Hamilton County is an amazing place built with high quality, imaginative, exciting places for families and visitors. HCCF has helped us bring that into northern Hamilton County and into our community.”

For nearly two decades, Sheridan Main Street, Inc. has been driven by volunteers who care deeply about their town and its future. Since 2007, the organization has worked to preserve Sheridan’s unique identity, including helping secure a place for its commercial district on the National Register of Historic Places.

That work hasn’t always been easy. Like many small organizations, SMS faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of leadership transition. But in 2022, a refreshed board brought new momentum. Since then, SMS has helped guide significant investment into downtown through façade improvement programs, resulting in approximately $800,000 in building upgrades and restorations.

The ArtAlley Project builds on this momentum by transforming an overlooked alley into a creative corridor that connects the Monon Trail to Main Street. For residents and visitors alike, it will serve as both a literal and symbolic pathway to the heart of Sheridan.

Through partnership with the Basile Center for Art, Design, and Public Life through the Herron School of Art and local artist Melinda Spear-Huff, the project will feature thoughtfully designed murals rooted in Sheridan’s identity. A curatorial study will help ensure the artwork reflects the stories, values, and aspirations of the community.

“There’s something really special about creating spaces that bring people together,” said Hamilton County Community Foundation President Danielle Stiles-Polk, “We’re proud to support Sheridan Main Street’s vision and help create a place where people can gather, connect, and enjoy being a part of the community together.”

The idea for ArtAlley didn’t happen overnight. It emerged through months of community conversations and planning, including a comprehensive plan set to be finalized in spring 2026, which identifies Main Street revitalization as a central priority. Residents consistently voiced a desire for spaces that reflect the community’s pride while inviting others to see what makes Sheridan one-of-a-kind.

For SMS, that vision is clear: a downtown that feels alive.

Soon, what was once a pass-through will become a destination that draws people off the trail and into local shops, shared experiences, and the heart of downtown Sheridan.

ABOUT SHERIDAN MAIN STREET INC.

Sheridan Main Street Inc. (SMS) is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to preserving and enhancing the historic character of downtown Sheridan, Indiana. Through partnerships, community engagement, and revitalization efforts, SMS works to strengthen the local economy while celebrating the town’s unique identity and sense of place. Learn more at sheridanmainstreet.org/