The Athenaeum is among Indianapolis’ most recognizable structures, a National Historic Landmark that boasts the architectural genius of the Vonnegut and Bohn firm, co-owned by writer Kurt Vonnegut’s grandfather. But the building’s second floor, where the Basile Theatre is housed, often takes a back seat to the popular basement resident known for its vast beer selection and German menu specialties.
When William Selm talked about the Athenaeum to Indianapolis college students while teaching architectural history, they’d respond, “Oh, you mean the Rathskeller building,” said Selm, a co-founder of the Athenaeum Foundation.
“There’s a whole big building on top of the Rathskeller,” he’d tell them.
Now, $8 million in upgrades will boost the second floor’s profile, bringing to life a vision that unites the theater’s cultural origins and Indianapolis arts groups’ needs. A new Athenaeum Lab and four phases of upgrades will offer resources for smaller organizations to grow and improve the theater-going experience for patrons.
A plan to boost smaller theater groups
Central to the plan is improving the Basile Theatre, where resident groups including React Theatre and the Asante Art Institute perform. Known as the Ball and Concert Hall when it opened in 1898, the Basile has also served as a launch pad for groups like Indiana Repertory Theatre.
The new Athenaeum Lab will allow smaller groups access to the mid-sized theater, which seats about 400 to 500 people, for little to no cost, said Craig Mince, president and CEO of the Athenaeum Foundation. A $1.5 million grant from the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative will fund the lab and, by the end of 2027, a stage-to-street elevator that can carry set materials.
“Once you can start selling out our theater regularly, you’re about ready to move into your own space or go into a much bigger traveling set, whether it’s at the Murat or some of these other bigger theaters,” Mince said. “We’re trying to accelerate them to the point where they’re ready to kind of tackle the world on their own.”
Multiple theater upgrades will enhance the experience as the space returns to its original taupe, gilded gold and forest green color palette. The renovations also include adding sound proofing, activating long-dormant rosebud lights, installing a new lighting and sound system; and restoring the original flooring while adding flexible seating options, Mince said. The work is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2028.
So far, the Athenaeum has reached about $2.6 million of its total goal, Mince said, with the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, Simon Family Foundation and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation among those who have contributed funding.
Reuniting the Athenaeum founders’ paintings
To the left of the theater, the Rathskeller’s one-time formal dining room will be split into dressing-room-themed restrooms and a bar that can transition into a parlor for magic shows. That space is set to be finished by Oct. 1.
Mince also wants to hang portraits painted by iconic Hoosier T.C. Steele depicting members of the Turners, the group with German roots that championed mental and physical wellness and ran the Athenaeum, which was originally known as “Das Deutsche Haus.”
“The history of Indianapolis is woven throughout the history of the building,” Selm said, “and the history of the building is interwoven in the history of Indianapolis.”
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or X: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: $8 million in renovations will raise the Athenaeum’s profile
Reporting by Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
