Five-Year Strategic Plan

Dear Stakeholders,

In 1883, May Wright Sewall, a pioneering American educator, conceived the idea of the Art Association of Indianapolis which evolved to become the Newfields we know today. We honor her legacy by continuing our many contributions to the success of our community through our vision for a world connected through art and nature. It is with gratitude, optimism, and excitement that we share our new Strategic Plan with you. This plan represents a roadmap for our stewardship of this remarkable institution into its next chapter and a presentation of the many compelling opportunities before us.

The plan is a continuation and an evolution of our 2015 Strategic Plan, and it draws inspiration from our 2017 IMA Master Plan. It carries forward key elements, core ambitions, important projects, and enduring priorities from that work. The new Strategic Plan also reflects months of listening, learning, and thoughtful dialogue with community leaders, partners, donors, volunteers, staff and Trustees.

Grounded in our shared belief that Newfields is a place where art and nature come together to inspire, connect, and enrich lives, the plan is designed to ensure that the institution remains relevant, trusted, and vibrant for generations to come.

The five pillars that underpin and support our vision and mission include; the Newfields Promise, Art, Nature, Community, and Sustainability. Together, these pillars define how we will strengthen excellence, deepen community connection, expand access and belonging, and ensure long-term resilience.

We invite you, our valuable stakeholders, on this journey with Newfields to build a brighter future over the next 5 years and beyond.

Le Monte G. Booker, Sr. | President & CEO

Anne Sellers, | Chair, Board of Trustees

Strategic Plan Design

Vision Statement

A world connected through art & nature.

Mission Statement

To enrich lives and build community through exceptional experiences with art and nature.

Core Values

Excellence: Every detail matters. Every visit counts.
Service: We show up for people—every time.
Inclusivity: Everyone belongs here.
Innovation: We ask, "what if?"—then we explore.
Stewardship: We protect what matters today to inspire tomorrow.

Pillars

Newfields Promise

Newfields is an essential part of the community, and it is a place where art and nature bring people together.

Our promise: To deliver a consistent, welcoming experience for everyone.

We will provide a clear and consistent identity, tell our compelling story, and ensure interactions with our guests and stakeholders reflect our commitment to excellence in all we do.

Art

The Indianapolis Museum of Art will strengthen its position as a leading museum known for great art, engaging exhibitions, strong scholarship, and meaningful community connections. As the artistic heart of Newfields, the IMA will create inspiring experiences that connect people through art. Through this pillar, we will:

Strengthen the IMA’s reputation and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally.
Create bold and engaging exhibitions and art experiences.
Bring our collections and historic spaces to life in new and meaningful ways.
Expand access, learning, and community connection through art.
Support excellence in curatorial work, collections care, and scholarship.

Nature

The Garden and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park are living expressions of Newfields’ identity and mission delivery; leveraging the power of beauty and connection. Through this pillar, we will:

Invite a broad audience to a range of experiences across formal gardens to natural areas.
Raise the bar for design through the Integration of horticulture, art, nature, wellness, and learning opportunities.
Expand our living collection in support of garden development, guest experience, plant conservation and natural lands stewardship.
Invest in sustainable solutions to ensure a welcoming campus for generations to come.

Community

Newfields brings people together through art and nature—creating shared experiences, learning opportunities, and programs that spark curiosity, foster belonging, and inspire lifelong connection.

Through this pillar, we will align community engagement, education, and programming to create:

Meaningful experiences rooted in art and nature.
Trust, inclusivity, and lifelong engagement.
Authentic partnerships through listening and collaboration.
Greater relevance for Newfields on campus and across the community.

Sustainability

Institutional Sustainability ensures that Newfields is built to endure—financially, operationally, and culturally. It allows us to:

Continue to progress and to evolve our 30-year Master Plan to guide thoughtful institutional growth and stewardship.
Ensure long-term financial health and diversified revenue.
Strengthen philanthropy and endowment growth to fund strategic priorities.
Modernize operations and enterprise systems for efficiency and clarity.
Invest in people, culture, and leadership capacity.
Strengthen data, technology, and AI capabilities to enable insight-driven decisions and scalable impact.
Build an agile, resilient institution prepared to adapt and thrive.

Conclusion

The future we envision establishes a bold direction for the next five years: positioning Newfields as a world-class cultural destination where belonging, creativity, and purpose define every experience.

It reflects a shared belief that Newfields’ greatest opportunity lies not only in its beauty and collections, but in its ability to unite, inspire, and serve the people of Indianapolis and beyond.

This plan is about ensuring that Newfields remains relevant, resilient, and trusted in a rapidly changing cultural and economic landscape.

At its heart, this plan is about people — how they feel when they encounter Newfields, how they experience belonging, and how they see themselves reflected in this institution.

Image credits:

Jusepe de Ribera (Spanish, 1590–1652), A Philosopher, probably Euclid, 1637, oil on canvas, 49-1/8 x 38-7/8 in. (canvas); 56-7/8 x 46-9/16 x 3 in. (framed, glazed). Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, The Clowes Collection, 2000.345

Bold: New Voices in Contemporary Art is organized by Michael Vetter, PhD, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at Newfields. This exhibition was made possible with support from Eric Antoine Logan.