The Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis
| Formation | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501 (c) (3) |
| Purpose | An independent, non-profit producer of syndicated classical music radio programs and diversity-focused community programs. |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, IN |
|
Board Chair
|
Marc Katz |
|
Main organ
|
Board of Directors |
|
Budget
|
$450,000 |
|
Staff
|
5 |
| Website | www |
The Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis (doing business since January 7, 2014 as Classical Music Indy), located in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an independent, non-profit producer of syndicated classical music radio programs and diversity-focused community engagement initiatives. Programs are made possible through the generous support of individual, foundations, governmental entities, and both private and public sector grants.
"To inspire people with the power of classical music."
Prior to 1961, there was little classical music on the radio in Central Indiana. In May of that year, a group of research chemists from Eli Lilly and Company pooled their resources, formed a corporation and on May 13 the "Lively Arts Station," WAIV-FM went on the air. The station offered a variety of classical music, jazz, poetry, interviews, folk music, discussions of religion, and editorials. Its broadcasts emanated from a tower atop the Dearborn Hotel on East Michigan Street in Indianapolis.
The station only became profitable in 1967 when the program format became exclusively classical. Programs were chosen by station staff and were presented in their entirety without interruption. This was the first completely classical music format on the radio in Indianapolis.
Decisions between the owners of WAIV led to the sale of the station but Fine Arts Society co-founder Norbert Neuss was not about to give up. With the help of his friends he purchased WAIV's 2,500 classical record library, packed them up, and stored them in the Lilly Pavilion of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. His hope was to use them later. That moment came sooner than anyone could have hoped for.
Neuss's friendship with Frank P. Thomas, founder and owner of the Burger Chef System of restaurants, turned out to be a decisive factor in fulfilling his dream of reviving classical music on the radio. In early 1968, Neuss, F. Bruce Peck, Frank P. Thomas and Willis K. Kunz formed the Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis, Inc. as a public charitable trust under the laws of the State of Indiana. The Society was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service in January, 1969.
Upon hearing that the Indianapolis Public Schools were constructing a new radio/television center, the Society approached school officials. After informal discussions between Neuss and the staff of the school's broadcast center, IPS's Board of School Commissioners and the Society arrived at an agreement whereby the Fine Arts Society would augment the instructional programs of the IPS's radio station, WIAN-FM, with a "Second Programme" of classical music during prime evening hours that went on the air in November, 1969.
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