In partnership with Heartland Art Center and the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Marshall County Economic Development Corp. is creating a new program geared towards helping artists turn their work into viable businesses set to launch in 2026. Photo from Marshall County Chamber of Commerce.

News Release

PLYMOUTH — Using a state grant awarded to Marshall County Economic Development Corp., a new program geared towards helping artists turn their work into viable businesses is to set to launch in 2026.

Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s Community Collaboration Fund — which has distributed over $925,000 to 28 community projects across Indiana — was responsible for awarding $14,100 to the soon-to-be Marshall County Arts Entrepreneurship Program. In partnership with the Indiana Small Business Development Center and Heartland Art Center, the initiative involves eight weeks of support, advising, workshops and an end-of-program exhibition.

According to Hannah Oren, ISBDC’s entrepreneur ecosystem navigator, the program is a response to the Indiana Arts Commission’s 2024 Artist Needs Assessment data, showing demand for financial education, local investment and corporate training among the region’s art entrepreneurs. He stressed that a strong demand was identified. Many people admit to being entrepreneurs, but most people have never heard of or used the services of the Indiana Small Business Development Center.

The curriculum currently under development should be completed in October. The program will start in February 2026 and will be implemented until March. Approximately 15 participants will be selected through a competitive application process.

Besides the workshop, each trainee will be paired with a business consultant, join a group of peers and get a mini-grant to assist their exhibition work or wider business objectives.

All lectures and gatherings will be held at the Heartland Art Center in Plymouth, where the final exhibition will also be held. Residents of Marshall, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Fulton and Stark County may apply, but organizers expect most candidates to be based in Marshall County.

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation CEO Greg Hildebrand said the plan reflects a broader strategy to build the county’s business ecosystem and strengthen the creative economy.

The initiative is just one piece of a vision for a future hub in Marshall County for entrepreneurship, built with proceeds from earlier developments in Plymouth and argos.

According to Hildebrand, the creative sector plays a key part in the region’s economic landscape, leading MCEDC’s interest in giving local artists the tools to leverage their work financially — while attracting new talent.

Arts program applications are set to open this fall.