Mariah Ivey

Background

About Mariah Ivey

Mariah Ivey serves as the Director of Programs and Artistic Development at the historic Madam Walker Legacy Center, where she leads innovative, mission-driven initiatives that celebrate arts, culture, and community. Through signature programs like the fine art series Art on the Avenue, quarterly music and film showcases, and the annual Legacy Fest Concert & Block Party, she works to preserve the Walker’s legacy by cultivating new opportunities for joy, healing, voice, and collective care. As a writer, poet, musician, and curator, Ivey brings both creative and strategic vision to her work—bridging artistry with organizational growth, partnership development, and community impact. Over the past decade, she’s developed platforms that uplift artists and expand access to cultural experiences across Indianapolis and the greater Midwest. In 2021, Ivey was recognized as a “Keeper of Culture” in a public mural installation in downtown Indianapolis—an honor that reflects her lasting influence as a community-centered artist, leader, and advocate. A 2025–2026 Artist at Work Fellow and proud Indianapolis native, Ivey remains committed to preserving and shaping the future of arts and culture through intentional collaboration, language, and imagination.