Decay Devils, a nonprofit based in Gary, Indiana, has announced a significant expansion of its regional initiatives through the acquisition of two grants totaling $13,000. This funding will support their upcoming project, which aims to enhance the preservation of public arts and historic sites across Northwest Indiana.
On Wednesday, Decay Devils revealed that they received a $10,000 grant from the Legacy Foundation as part of the Transform Lake County program, along with a $3,000 Historic Preservation grant from Indiana Humanities. The funding will facilitate the creation of a comprehensive guide titled “NWI Landmarks and Arts: A Regional Guide to Northwest Indiana’s Art and Historic Landmarks.”
Documenting Art and History Across the Region
Tyrell Anderson, president of Decay Devils, stated that the guide will catalog public art and historic sites across various cities, including Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, Michigan City, and Whiting. “We started this during COVID,” said Anderson. “We thought it would be a great idea to bring the project back to get people outside and make some kind of activity.”
As the project develops, Anderson emphasized that the organization will engage with local community partners to determine which landmarks to feature. “There’s a few places that are iconic, but we don’t want to go in as an outsider and just say, ‘Hey, what’s special about this area?’” he explained. “We want to reach out to different entities and see who shows interest, feedback, and input.” Community meetings are planned for January to gather perspectives from local stakeholders.
The decision to expand the focus beyond Gary is a strategic one for Decay Devils, which had previously centered its efforts on the city. Anderson believes that building momentum in the region will benefit the organization’s long-term goals.
Grant Impact and Community Engagement
With the support from the Legacy Foundation, Decay Devils plans to produce both printed and digital versions of the guide, host tours, and activate public art and historic sites through community engagement initiatives. Kelly Anoe, president and CEO of the Legacy Foundation, expressed her admiration for Decay Devils’ commitment to the community. “The projects they create are innovative, and it brings people into what they’re doing,” Anoe remarked. “They engage residents and create opportunities for people to think about public spaces, historic preservation, and the unique assets we have in Northwest Indiana.”
The Legacy Foundation administers two grant cycles for the Transform Lake County initiative, with awards ranging up to $35,000, and an average grant size of $10,000. Anoe is particularly enthusiastic about the guide project, noting that it highlights the region’s treasures and stories that deserve recognition.
George Hanlin, director of grants for Indiana Humanities, noted that Decay Devils has received approximately five grants from them over the years. He highlighted the importance of funding for humanities projects, stating, “There’s a lot more funding available for traditional arts-related programming than there is for humanities.” The $3,000 grant from Indiana Humanities will specifically support the Michigan City segment of the guide, aiding in research, interpretive content creation, and storytelling.
Anderson mentioned that while Michigan City is the only location currently included outside Lake County, Decay Devils may consider adding organizations from other areas, such as Valparaiso, as the project progresses. Hanlin expressed optimism about Decay Devils’ expansion beyond Gary, stating, “This is a group that gets stuff done, and they work in some pretty challenging circumstances.” He looks forward to how the guide will attract more visitors to various parts of Northwest Indiana.
The collaborative efforts of Decay Devils, the Legacy Foundation, and Indiana Humanities highlight a shared commitment to preserving the cultural and historical significance of the region. As the project develops, the community’s input will play a vital role in shaping a guide that celebrates the diverse artistic and historical narratives of Northwest Indiana.
