HI-FI Indy Gets $1 Million Grant, Supporting Venue Expansion And New 1,100-Capacity Space

Independent venue HI-FI Indianapolis announced it has been awarded a $1 million grant that will go toward transforming its home within the historic Murphy Arts Center into a three-venue, interconnected hub with a new 1,000-capacity performance space.

“For years we’ve watched artists outgrow HI-FI and face limited opportunities to continue building their audiences in an independent setting,” said Dan Kemer, Partner, Talent Buyer and Vice President of Events for MOKB Presents, which owns and books the HI-FI. “This expansion changes that. A connected campus with three venues that can operate independent of each other gives artists a clear path to grow with us, from intimate club shows to larger headline performances, while dramatically expanding our year-round concert calendar. More importantly, it allows us to scale artists, not just shows. That’s good for artists, good for fans and good for Indianapolis as a touring market.”

The project, estimated to cost a total of about $5 million, will see the expansion of the flagship HI-FI venue to 550 capacity with a permanent integration of the former Easy Ride Space; a relocation of smaller Lo-Fi venue to an expanded capacity of 200 on the first floor of the Murphy Arts Center, where it will serve as “a dedicated room for emerging artists, comedy, community programming and private events,” and the construction of a new 1,100-capacity performance hall.

The new space will create “a permanent year-round home for many of HI-FI’s larger concerts while expanding programming opportunities,” the announcement says. A new interior corridor will connect the three venues and provide opportunity for multi-stage events. An outdoor Annex venue had served as the Hi-Fi’s larger space and will complete its final season this year with an Oct. 30 finale with Evan Honer. Kemer says the new space will be one level and general admission, with some opportunity for seated events as well.

Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2026, with completion targeted for August 2027.

The grant, administered by SEND (Southeast Neighborhood Development) is part of Indiana’s READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative, a statewide investment supporting projects that strengthen quality of place, grow Indiana’s creative economy, attract talent and drive long-term economic development.

Josh Baker, founder and CEO of HI-FI and MOKB, called the READI award a pivotal moment for the project.

“Projects like this don’t happen overnight,” Baker said in the announcement. “There were more than a few moments when it felt like this expansion might never happen, so receiving READI support is incredibly meaningful. It wasn’t the finish line, but it became the catalyst that gave us the confidence and momentum to take the next step.”

Upcoming shows at the HI-FI include Mike Love, The Format, Shonen Knife, The Elovaters, Lettuce, Damien Jurado, Andy Frasco &The U.N. and more.

“Every decision, every investment and every risk has been made by a local team that has chosen to invest in Indianapolis and believe in the power of live music to bring people together,” Baker added.

“We’re deeply grateful to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the State of Indiana and the Lilly Endowment for creating opportunities that empower small, independent businesses to invest in their communities. We’re also thankful to every partner who believed in this vision. We’re honored to help breathe new life into this historic building, and now it’s our turn to do right by this space, this neighborhood and the people who will fill it for decades to come.”