The groundbreaking exhibition that celebrates a shared human history and culture through the beauty of footwear is now open in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. On Friday, September 27, we celebrated the opening at Artful Party: Fall.

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum.

Pictured left to right: Belinda Tate - The Melvin & Bren Simon Director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Pauline Forlenza - Director & CEO of American Federation of Arts, and Darrianne Christian - Chair of the Board of Trustees at Newfields

Belinda Tate, Pauline Forlenza, and Darrianne Christian cut the pink ribbon and welcome guests to step into Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks in the IMA Galleries for the first time. The exhibition showcases approximately sixty shoe designs and explores historically significant technological transformational moments in footwear.

Left: Joey Khamis, of Khamis Design, attended Artful Party: Fall at Newfields on September 27, 2024 to see his shoe in the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks.

Image credit: Mr. Bailey, Octopus Shoe, 2018. Collection of Mr. Bailey. Courtesy American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum. 

Guests came from near and far to celebrate. Joey Khamis, an Indianapolis-based shoe designer from Khamis Studio has a shoe featured in the show. 

The show isn't all about shoes! Three talented DJs from Indianapolis selected tracks embody the energy and creativity that define both design and sneakers into a playlist that you hear in the gallery. Godzillest, Lady Locs, and Ferris Booler have expertly crafted a sonic journey that beautifully complements the exhibition.

Every shoe has a story. Guests are invited to participate in the exhibition in two significant ways. First, you can submit your shoe story before you arrive to potentially have it on display when you arrive. Not into planning ahead? You can also add your story when you arrive. 

The second opportunity to get involved in the exhibition is to walk the runway and get a digital clip of yourself showing off your kicks. 

Stills of guests modeling their kicks on the runway during Artful Party: Fall on September 27, 2024 in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. 

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is open through January 19, 2025 in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. So slip on your favorite kicks and join us. Tickets are included with General Admission and free for Members.