Cornelius "Lee" Alig Advocates for Digitization of Arts Indiana Magazine to Preserve State's Cultural Heritage

Cornelius "Lee" Alig, a noted architect, developer, and long-time arts advocate, is raising awareness about the importance of preserving Indiana's cultural history through the digitization of Arts Indiana Magazine, a publication that spanned over two decades from 1979 to 2001. Alig, who served as a board member, project advisor, and contributing writer for the magazine, played a key role in ensuring that the state's rich arts heritage is accessible to all. "Any time you have a seamless 20-year continuum of information, particularly in the visual, literary, and performing arts, it creates an indispensable resource," Alig said. "Just two years ago, digitization was just an idea. Being able to digitize the collection now with the guidance of The Indianapolis Public Library will ensure its availability for generations."

The Arts Indiana Magazine collection includes over 20 years of magazine issues (1979–2001) covering literary, performing, and visual arts statewide. It also features special programs like the Postcard Art Series (1981–1996) and Poetry on the Buses (1984–1992), which highlighted and celebrated local artists and writers, along with The Hopewell Review (1992–1997), a literary anthology featuring poetry, short stories, essays, and photojournalism. The project ensures that Indiana's arts history is preserved digitally, making it accessible to educators, students, researchers, and art enthusiasts across the state and beyond. Funding from organizations including the Lilly Endowment Inc., Indiana Arts Commission, and Martin Foundation supported both the original publication and the ongoing digitization initiative.

Alig emphasized that supporting local arts is not limited to institutional programs. "You do not need to be a professional or a large organization to make an impact," he said. "Attend a local gallery, read Indiana authors, support performing arts groups in your community, or submit your own work to local exhibitions. Every action helps maintain a vibrant cultural ecosystem." Since its inception, the Arts Indiana Magazine digitization has brought together hundreds of individuals and organizations that contributed materials, from postcards to literary works, to ensure the collection's comprehensiveness. Alig himself contributed a selection of original postcards, highlighting visual art and making it available for public access online.

For those looking to engage with Indiana's arts community, Alig encourages exploring digital archives of Arts Indiana Magazine available through the Indianapolis Public Library, supporting local arts organizations through memberships, donations, or volunteer work, and attending performances, gallery exhibitions, or literary readings in the community. "Preserving culture is a collective effort," Alig said. "Every person who reads, views, or participates in Indiana's arts contributes to the legacy of the state. By engaging with these resources, we ensure that future generations have access to the creativity and inspiration that defines Indiana." The digitized collection is accessible at https://www.digitalindy.org/digital/collection/aim.