Sutphin Fountain - Historical Information

Historical Information

The Sutphin Fountain was made following the IMA’s move from 16th to 38th Street. It was completed in 1972 in celebration of the IMA’s second birthday at its new location. The museum held an open dedication ceremony in October 1972, complete with a brass band, fireworks, and ballerinas who danced across the fountain itself. At the moment of unveiling, the fountain sent one narrow jet of water 50 feet into the air.

The original incarnation of the fountain had 448 blocks of Indiana limestone, a limestone rim surrounding the central platform, and 22 floodlights which lit the fountain from within the column of water at night.

First located at the bottom of the steps leading up to the IMA’s main entrance, the Sutphin Fountain was the visual focal point of the front view of the museum complex. Its design was intended to recall the age-old sunburst design and also suggest the layout of Indianapolis, sometimes called the “circle city.” The IMA’s logo for its first few decades was a simplified version of an aerial view of the fountain.

When the IMA reopened in 2005 following its major renovation, the role of the Sutphin Fountain was altered. Where it used to be a stark gateway to the museum, it now was nestled in a more landscaped setting – although still prominently visible from the main entrance. It is now comfortably situated between the museum café’s outdoor seating and the Sutphin Mall, an allée-style sculpture yard which contains some of the IMA’s most well-known outdoor artworks.

In 2009 the floodlights within the fountain were replaced with LED lighting. Seventeen different hues can be seen as the colors rotate at night, and specific color cycle requests may be displayed during special events.