(Graphic courtesy IMS)
Posted By: Richie Hall September 25, 2025
Application deadline is Sunday, Oct. 26
Submitted by IMS
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Arts Council released Sept. 24 the call for artists to apply to create the 2026 Welcome Race Fans artworks, which are a culmination of the Hoosier hospitality that welcomes visitors to Indianapolis throughout the Month of May.
Interested Central Indiana artists must submit their application for consideration by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 26.
“The Welcome Race Fans art is one of the first things visitors to the city of Indianapolis see during the Month of May,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “For the last 10 years, the Welcome Race Fans pieces have added to the excitement and anticipation of May.”
Five artists will be selected from the applicant pool to create the 2026 welcoming artwork. Each of the selected artists will create a piece of original artwork, to be placed throughout the city, using their unique processes and styles to showcase the intersection of art and motorsports. Both two- and three-dimensional pieces of art will be considered.
Since 2016, Welcome Race Fans artwork has exemplified what May means to Indianapolis, both on and off track. In that first year, the program commissioned 33 artworks from 33 artists to celebrate the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Each year since, five new artists have joined the program, bringing the total to almost 80 artists.
Central Indiana artists are challenged to bring to life what “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” means to the Racing Capital of the of World. While some artists utilize vibrant colors with bold strokes and others manipulate computer coding, all Welcome Race Fans artists rely on their personal connections to tell the beautifully unique story of Indianapolis and its culture.
To register for an account and begin the online application process, please click here.
