— In a first-of-its-kind digital program, Indiana Humanities is challenging Hoosiers to take on new experiences in order to connect with each other, learn more about Indiana, and help make Indiana a better place to live.
ALL-IN, which launches Wednesday, is a digital platform that challenges people to experience something new and learn about Indiana to expand their knowledge and their opinions of the Hoosier state – what it is and what it could be. The site offers data, infographics, surveys, local profiles and more to inspire these new experiences.
Indiana Humanities plans to continue the ALL-IN launch celebration with events across the state later this summer and fall. Organizations and communities interested in hosting launch parties should contact Indiana Humanities.
The ALL-IN site poses questions and issues challenges in eight categories geo-targeted by participants’ zip codes. There’s also a scorecard and opportunities to share your progress with friends on social media. Examples of challenges include:
EXPLORE: Go to an ethnic restaurant and try food you’ve never had.
DISCOVER: Take a photo of an Indiana hidden gem.
READ: Give someone a book.
REMEMBER: Celebrate your Indiana-versary (when your family first came to the state)!
REFLECT: Take a photo of a beautiful place of worship or reflection and share it on social media.
CONNECT: Perform a random act of kindness for a neighbor.
DREAM: Share a story about someone in your community who is shaping the future of Indiana.
Indiana Humanities created ALL-IN to further its mission of connecting people, opening minds and enriching lives by encouraging people to think, read and talk. “When Indiana Humanities contacted me about participating in this program, I was thrilled,” stated Paul Munoz, Town of Cicero Plan Director. “Being a part of the video was such an honor.”
This is especially important based on an Indiana Civic Health Index in 2011 that revealed a perplexing paradox: While Hoosiers are more likely than other Americans to belong to a civic organization, participate in a school group or attend church, Indiana ranked 45th in the nation in terms of neighbors working together to solve community problems.
“Hoosiers are spending more time than most Americans in groups, but we’re not working together to solve problems,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We saw this as a tremendous opportunity to try to bring people together to have more substantive conversations about problems facing our communities – especially as we gear up for our state’s bicentennial in 2016.”
ALL-IN was created to do just that.
“The idea for an all-digital format developed from our work over the years and conversations with countless organizations and individuals throughout the state,” Amstutz said. “By creating it as a game or challenge, we hope to see co-workers, families, clubs and all sorts of groups participate in ALL-IN together.
“We’re eager to explore and enjoy expanding our knowledge and horizons alongside Hoosiers all over the state. We anticipate coming together for a common cause will even inspire a little civic pride. That’s what the humanities are all about.”
ALL-IN is at www.IndianaHumanities.org/all-in.
“We are proud to partner with Indiana Humanities on this important and creative initiative,” said Gerry Dick, host of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick and president of Indianapolis-based Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC. “This unique effort to connect Hoosiers can serve as a catalyst to solve challenges and enhance economic development and quality of place statewide.”
The interactive website was designed by The Basement, a digital design studio headquartered in Indianapolis, and is supported by monetary or in-kind support from Ivy Tech Community College, The Basement, Valparaiso University, Inside INdiana Business and Visit Indy. Indiana Humanities also receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Lilly Endowment.
About Indiana Humanities
Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read and talk. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.