AGP Executive Report

Live Music: Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra’s “Autumn Winds” brings chamber music inspired by nature to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Sunday, Oct. 18. Opera: Jacobs School of Music students have a chance to co-produce with the Metropolitan Opera, a major opportunity for emerging artists. Hoosier Sports: No. 5 Indiana hosts No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday in Memorial Stadium’s first-ever top-five matchup; the winner gains a key edge in the Big Ten race. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton also returned to action in Oklahoma City after missing a season with an Achilles injury. Arts & Culture: Fort Wayne’s Art This Way festival drew an estimated 15,000 people, while Gregory Hancock Dance Theater is reimagining the Salem witch trials. The Haan Museum of Indiana Art also announced a leadership transition.

Hoosier Sports: No. 5 Indiana hosts No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday in the first top-five matchup at Memorial Stadium, with the Hoosiers’ 22-game winning streak at stake. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has also returned to the court after 16 months recovering from an Achilles injury. Live Music: Nickelback has announced a 2027 Indianapolis tour stop, while southern Indiana country band Legends plays Boot City on Oct. 17. Osceola has raised $100,000 for an amphitheater, paving the way for live shows and the town’s 2027 music festival. Arts & Culture: Fort Wayne’s Art This Way Fest drew an estimated 15,000 people, and Anderson Museum of Art’s “Funny Pages” exhibit celebrates Hoosier cartoonists. The Eiteljorg Museum marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with art and cultural traditions. Sports Economy: Gov. Mike Braun says sports support more than 90,000 Indiana jobs and is backing investment in a girls-focused sports complex in Newton County.

Visual Arts: Robert Indiana is being rediscovered beyond his iconic “LOVE” sculpture, while the Eiteljorg Museum marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with art and tradition. Indianapolis Arts: Newfields’ executive director, Belinda Tate, is stepping down after three years. Books & Music: Kinfolk Lit Fest is coming to Indianapolis in 2027, and Fishers singer-songwriter Ryan Ahlwardt is sharing plans for his next creative chapter. Live Shows: Nickelback has announced a 2027 Indianapolis concert, while Dustin Lynch brought a set of hits and surprises to Shipshewana. Marching Bands: Angola, DeKalb and Garrett bands advanced to Indiana’s ISSMA semi-state round.

Live Music: Fort Wayne’s Clyde Theatre will host the U.S. Air Force’s Airmen of Note for a free Veterans Day concert on Nov. 11; reservations are required. Indianapolis has also landed 2027 dates from Nickelback and from Def Leppard and Goo Goo Dolls. Film: Gary International Black Film Festival will premiere Healing Through Hip-Hop: LAW: Lyrics Above Woe. Stage: Shucked comes to Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre Jan. 12–13, while Cats is onstage at Beef & Boards in Indianapolis. Arts & Culture: IU’s Jacobs School of Music continues its Octubafest tradition, and Kinfolk Lit Fest is headed to Indianapolis in 2027. Newfields executive director Belinda Tate is also stepping down after three years.

Live Music: Nickelback has added a 2027 Indianapolis stop, and Def Leppard and the Goo Goo Dolls will play the city next July. Chris Brown and Usher, meanwhile, canceled their Indianapolis date ahead of Brown’s UK sentencing. Screen: A new documentary will follow Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon Jackson from their beginnings in Gary to global stardom, featuring Tito’s final interview. On Stage: The musical Shucked comes to Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre Jan. 12–13. Hoosier Sports: Indiana football climbed to No. 5 after rallying past Nebraska, 20-17, and now faces No. 4 Ohio State. The men’s basketball team opened its exhibition season with a 96-68 win over Butler. Fever Watch: Indiana faces offseason decisions on free agents Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham as it looks to build around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Arts Leadership: Indianapolis Museum of Art director Belinda Tate is leaving her post.

Live Shows: “CATS” is at Beef & Boards in Indianapolis, “Shucked” is booked at Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre for Jan. 12–13, and Def Leppard and Goo Goo Dolls will play Indianapolis next July. Arts & Events: Brickworld heads to Fort Wayne, Halloween in the Park returns to Newton Park Oct. 17, and Aunt Millie’s will sponsor the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Pops series. Hoosier Sports: Indiana football rose to No. 5 after rallying past Nebraska and hosts No. 4 Ohio State on Oct. 17. Purdue upset No. 2 Michigan State in women’s soccer, and Indiana field hockey beat Ohio 5-0; the No. 15 volleyball team fell to USC.

Fever Debate: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s outspoken comments on transgender athletes continue to spark backlash and support, with broadcaster Jason Page calling her popularity disposable and her future in Indiana uncertain. Hoosiers Football: No. 7 Indiana rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Nebraska 20-17, preserving its unbeaten record after a tense road test. Museum Leadership: Belinda Tate is stepping down as executive director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields after three years. Theatre History: Indianapolis’ Rivoli Theatre will unveil a recreated 1927 marquee at a free celebration. Local Film: An Indianapolis connection brings a new biopic about actor Jimmy Stewart to the city first.

Hoosiers’ Comeback: No. 7 Indiana rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Nebraska 20-17, extending its winning streak to 22 games. Josh Hoover’s two touchdown passes to Nick Marsh sealed the road win; Ohio State is next. Concert Cancellation: Usher and Chris Brown’s Oct. 31 show at Lucas Oil Stadium was canceled, along with several other dates. Ticketmaster gave no reason. Museum Leadership: Belinda Tate is stepping down as executive director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art after three years at Newfields. Historic Theater: The Rivoli Theatre plans a free celebration unveiling a recreated 1927 marquee. Onstage: Broadway’s “The Lion King” is headed to Indianapolis, while comedian Craig Robinson is scheduled to perform at Helium Comedy Club.

Museum Leadership: Belinda Tate is stepping down as executive director of Newfields after three years, marking a change at one of Indianapolis’ leading arts institutions. Arts in Goshen: The Northern Indiana Clay Center has opened, adding a new home for pottery and hands-on creativity. Local Film History: Indianapolis’ little-known connection to Jimmy Stewart is bringing a new biopic to the city first. Theater Landmark: The Rivoli Theatre plans a free celebration unveiling a recreated 1927 marquee. Live Music: Muncie Music Fest is returning after flood damage, bringing music back to Doc’s Music Hall.

Live Music: Usher and Chris Brown’s Indianapolis concert is among several dates abruptly removed from their tour schedule. Ticketmaster says affected ticket holders will receive refunds; no official reason was given. Indianapolis Arts: Newfields executive director Belinda Tate is stepping down after three years. Film & Music: Singer-songwriter Delnora was named Multi-Genre Artist of the Year at the Infinity Music and Film Awards; her song “Looking For The Light” will appear in Disconnected, screening at the Heartland International Film Festival. Theatre & Comedy: Broadway’s The Lion King is coming to Indianapolis, while Craig Robinson brings his stand-up to Helium Comedy Club this weekend. Local Landmarks: The Rivoli Theatre plans to unveil a recreated 1927 marquee at a free celebration on October 24.

Live Music: Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour stops at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 10 with former Fray frontman Isaac Slade and American Idol alum Brooks Rosser opening, after other support acts withdrew. Stage & Screen: Mold has forced the permanent closure of AMC Classic Crawfordsville 8, while Indianapolis theaters are offering shows including Cats and Jagged Little Pill. Arts & Culture: Indianapolis Museum of Art director Belinda Tate is leaving her post, and the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art has new exhibitions on the way. Local Arts: Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra is reviving historic music, and Muncie Music Fest is returning after flood damage, helping fill the void at Doc’s Music Hall.

WNBA: Caitlin Clark condemned racist and hateful messages aimed at teammate Kelsey Mitchell, saying that abuse is not what she stands for. Clark finished fourth in MVP voting as A’ja Wilson claimed a record fifth award. Indianapolis Arts: Indianapolis Museum of Art director Belinda Tate is leaving her post. The city’s stage calendar features shows including Cats and Jagged Little Pill, while the Embassy Theatre’s Festival of Trees returns with new events. Live Music & Culture: The Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra is bringing historic music to life, and Muncie Music Fest is returning after flood damage. Indiana communities can also apply for state cultural-district certification.

Live Music: Def Leppard’s 45-date North American tour, featuring Goo Goo Dolls and the Struts, is set to close in Indianapolis on July 2, 2027. Theater: Beef & Boards has put tickets on sale for its 2027 shows, while Broadway’s The Lion King brings its spectacle to Indianapolis. Indiana Arts: IUP’s Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with Philly Street Strings, and the BMPL Arts & Innovation Hub is seeking its first Maker-in-Residence. The Phoenix Theatre & Cultural Campus will host seven Indiana storytellers for a Halloween-season showcase. Concerts & Community: Clint Black and Midland will headline an Indianapolis benefit honoring first responders; Indiana communities are also invited to apply for state cultural-district certification.

Live Comedy: Leanne Morgan brings her “Time of Our Lives” tour to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 6, with tickets on sale Friday. Arts Investment: Imagine Performing Arts won a $500,000 state matching grant to help renovate a historic Connersville building, supporting a project valued at about $1 million. Opera for Young Audiences: Reimagining Opera for Kids begins its 19th season, bringing free performances and classroom resources to Indiana children, especially in rural communities. Hoosier Soccer: Indiana men’s soccer rallied past Kentucky 3-1 in Bloomington, improving to 10-0-2.

Visual Arts: Jasper Arts’ new sculpture invitational features 10 artists through Dec. 27, alongside paintings by local artist Pamela Kinkade, who returned to painting after a 40-year break. Indiana Arts: Communities statewide are invited to apply for cultural district certification, while a juried student exhibition runs at Indiana State through Nov. 6. On Stage: Broadway’s “The Lion King” brings its touring spectacle to Indianapolis; Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour plays Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday, with tickets still available. Music: Muncie Music Fest is rebuilding after flood damage, aiming to fill the Doc’s Music Hall void. Film & Media: Jessica Biel joins the cast of “Playmates,” a drama about life around the Playboy Mansion. Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is complete, creating Skydance, a media giant spanning major studios, streaming services, networks and entertainment franchises.

Indiana Sports Update: Colts DE Arden Key is expected to miss 3–4 weeks with a hamstring injury after the London win over Washington. Hoosier Soccer: Goalkeeper Michal Mroz and forward Stephane Njike earned weekly awards following Indiana’s 3-1 win over Maryland, with Mroz making a late penalty-kick save. Recruiting Buzz: Indiana landed five-star 2027 center Darius Wabbington, a top-ranked big man who chose Bloomington over major rivals. Big Ten Football: No. 7 Indiana heads to Nebraska for a rare 6-0 start showdown, while Indiana’s 2027 opener was shuffled—UMass canceled, replaced by Jax State. Arts & Community: Butler hosts poet laureate Arthur Sze and Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba,” and local groups keep rolling with events like Radiant Detroit and this week’s Indiana calendar picks. Public Service/Local Governance: Gov. Braun appointed a new public access counselor after complaints about delays. Entertainment Pop Culture: “Star Wars: Galactic Racer” soundtrack is now streaming, and Spielberg’s “Close Encounters” is available free on YouTube.