Campaign Announced To Keep Ann Dancing On Mass Ave

Updated June 4, 2019 at 12:40 p.m.

Many know her as the dancing lady on Massachusetts Avenue—an electronic art installation at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Alabama and Vermont streets. But she has a name. The installation is called Ann Dancing.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail asked for help Thursday to keep her dancing. Executive Director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc., Kären Haley, says the cost is $262,800. 

Right now, the lights are off. Ann Dancing is just a black box. Haley says Ann Dancing needs updates. 

“Technology has changed a lot in the past 10 years,” Haley says. “If you had your same mobile phone from 10 years ago, it probably wouldn’t work either. So, we want to keep her dancing, we want to keep her at the center of our city, we want to keep her as the focus of arts and culture.”

Ann Dancing was created by Julian Opie more than a decade ago. It was intended to be a temporary installation. Updates will include new electrical connections, fans inside for hot days, repairs to her base and a long-term maintenance fund.

Deputy Mayor Angela Smith Jones says Ann Dancing has been an iconic part of Indianapolis.

A Keep Ann Dancing dance party will be held by Ann Dancing on Massachusetts Avenue on June 29 to mark the end of the campaign.

More than half of the money raised will go to updating the electronics that make up Ann Dancing. The rest will go towards a maintenance fund and improvements at the plaza where Ann Dancing is located.

About 14% of the funds will go to more public art on the trail.

For more information visit KeepAnnDancing.org.