The Frank and Katrina Basile Center for Art, Design and Public Life connects the talents and skills of Herron students and faculty to the actual, relevant needs of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. The Basile Center enables Herron to provide art and design to a variety of clients, resulting in rewarding, collaborative partnerships while providing professional experiences to Herron students. The Basile Center also allows Herron students and faculty a space for professional presentation—a formal setting to showcase our school’s successes in the areas of civic engagement, professional practice and collaborative learning experiences.

Simply put, the Basile Center matches Herron’s creative resources with appropriate community partners. This is a valuable service to the community as well as an innovative educational model. Everyone benefits.

Visitors to the school and potential clients of the Basile Center can explore the many types of collaborative projects developed and created by Herron students and faculty. Clients gain a better understanding and appreciation for creative processes and production by working with students and faculty in a transparent process. High-quality art and design solutions are delivered for very modest budgets. Students benefit because they are given opportunities to work on real world projects that will be viewed in a public or business context.

The Basile Center has made possible a variety of client relationships for Herron, including the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Eli Lilly and Company, City of Indianapolis, Governor Mitch Daniels, Madame Walker Theatre, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Wyoming, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, Celadon Trucking, and others.

Read more about Frank and Katrina Basile in the Spring 2007 issue of IU Foundation "New Ground."

For more information, contact Abbey Pintar at apintar@iupui.edu or call (317) 278-9423.