Mission. The Madame Walker Theatre Center operates with a mission dedicated to nurturing and celebrating the arts from the an African-American perspective. The Center provides a forum for arts programming directed toward cross-cultural appreciation and educational opportunities. Since its inception in 1979, the Center has continued to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of its namesake, Madam C.J. Walker.

History. The Madame Walker Theatre Center, housed in the historic Madame C.J. Walker Building, has long symbolized the spirit of creativity and community pride in the city of Indianapolis. Named after America’s first “self-made” female millionaire—Madam C.J. Walker—the site represents the achievements, art forms, culture and history of African-American people.

Madam Walker began the development of the Walker Building and Theatre prior to her death in 1919. The project was subsequently completed by her daughter, A’Lelia Walker, and opened to the public December 26, 1927.

The Walker Building, located in the Indiana Avenue corridor, was the center of entertainment, business and pride for the city’s African-American community from the 1920s to the 1950s. During the mid-50s, the building and its surrounding neighborhood began a gradual decline. By the late 1970s, the Walker Building stood nearly abandoned (Walker Manufacturing Company remained housed in the building) and faced certain demolition. However, a group of committed African-American citizens recognized the structure’s rich history and dedicated themselves to preserving the building. After becoming incorporated as the Madame Walker Building Urban Life Center in 1979, the group purchased the ailing building from the Walker Manufacturing Company and began planning for its restoration.

In 1982 the organization’s articles of incorporation were amended to reflect the nonprofit’s new legal name Madame Walker Urban Life Center. The organization was committed to reestablishing the facility as a steward for cultural expression and economic enterprise. Because the site was seen as the heart of a downtown neighborhood that had to be revitalized, the community worked hard to make that dream a reality.

In 1983 the first phase of the restoration, which housed offices and the Grand Casino Ballroom, was completed. A $2.5 million capital campaign raised funds to restore the famous 944-seat (now 935) Walker Theatre. The influence of African art forms in the vision of Madam Walker and her daughter for the design concept is apparent throughout the theatre.

In 1988 the city of Indianapolis celebrated the gala opening of the fully restored Madame C.J. Walker Building. The site is now a national historic landmark and is registered on both the state and national registers of historic places.

In 1996 the Madame Walker Urban Life Center began doing business as (d.b.a.) the Madame Walker Theatre Center to more fully reflect the organization’s vision and mission. Two office structures along Indiana Avenue—Walker Plaza, built in 1989 and 500 Place, completed in 1992—as two partners essential to the continued growth of the Madame Walker Theatre Center. As a result of these two ventures, the historic Walker Building once again stands as an economic anchor for the historic Indiana Avenue Cultural District.

Through the vibrancy of dramatic dance, the smooth, cool sounds of jazz and the evocative spirit of the theatre; the Walker Building builds bridges between artists and patrons.

Performing Arts

The Madame Walker Theatre Center’s annual performing arts season opens in October and continues through May. Each season’s programs showcase the talents of local, regional, national and international artists, enlighten the community to a variety of art forms and entertain audiences in a way that encourages ongoing support of the arts.

Jazz on the Avenue. The programming includes the Jazz Series presented once monthly and Jazz Artists in Concert on the main stage or in a cabaret setting. These programs present local, regional and national artists and provide opportunities for the community to be educated regarding jazz as an indigenous American art form. Learn more >

Main Stage Series. These programs (also referred to as the performing arts season) are primarily presented in the Madame Walker Theatre and include theatre, music and dance. In some cases, international artists usually showcased through workshops and classes, are also presented as part of the Main Stage season.

Artists presented as part of our performing arts programs are, in many cases, in residence at the theatre for three to seven days, which allows them to develop and participate in community residencies, education and humanities programming. These activities deepen the audience’s understanding of the creative process, broadens their knowledge of the country from which the works originate and allow for relationships with the artists to grow. Community involvement and participation are part of the Center's ongoing efforts to develop audiences.

Education

The educational programs of the Madame Walker Theatre Center are intended to foster in young people a cross-cultural appreciation for the arts.

Youth in Arts. This activity offers exposure and training in arts disciplines for youth ages 5 - 13 who otherwise would not have such opportunities. Arts disciplines include various styles of dance, drama, creative writing, art making and reading enrichment with electives in piano, percussion, vocals, visual art, photography and conversational Spanish. Each year more than 150 youth participate in this program oriented toward underserved populations. The program was recently redesigned to reach a broader segment of the youth population in central Indiana. Learn more >

Humanities

Because the arts and humanities play important roles in shaping and enriching people’s lives, the Madame Walker Theatre Center’s programming for the humanities is designed to encourage participation by persons of all ages.

Writer’s Symposium Series. This is an ongoing program of the Center and is designed to familiarize participants with the written word and its place in American culture. The program presents a series of dialogues based in and around the works of local, regional and national authors.

The Walker Film Series. The series of films is designed to bring visibility to national and international film and video with special emphasis on African and African-American filmmakers.

Tours & Living History

Madame Walker Heritage Center. The Heritage Center, the future site of the Indiana Avenue Cultural District Welcome Center, serves as a display space and repository for information regarding Madam C.J. Walker’s life and legacy as well as the lives of African-Americans who have contributed to American culture. This street-level space offers tours, lectures and small heritage programs presented by local living history theatre Freetown Village.

Today and in the Future

The Center continues to develop strong associations nationally, as well as in the local arts and cultural community. The Center provides facilities for Freetown Village, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and the new Indiana Ballet Company. It serves as a rental facility for other arts, social, civic and business organizations to host their programs and activities.

Through its educational, performing arts and humanities programs, the Madame Walker Theatre Center strives to better lives through positive cultural experiences.

Madame Walker Theatre