The Penrod Society was formed in 1967 by a group of 12 young men so as to create a vehicle to support the cultural and educational activities of Indianapolis area artists, students, and arts organizations. The Penrod Society is a volunteer organization, strongly rooted in Central Indiana with a proud history of serving our community.

Specifically, our mission focuses on the cultivation, encouragement and development of public interest in and support of those arts, cultural and educational institutions located in and around Marion County, Indiana, its surrounding counties and the Central Indiana area in general.

The Penrod name is taken from Indianapolis native Booth Tarkington’s character, Penrod Schoefield. The Penrod Arts Fair has been held annually on the first Saturday after Labor Day since 1967. The Penrod Arts Fair attracts over 30,000 people to the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art to listen to music, watch performing artists and purchase thousands of dollars of art. All proceeds from this one day extravaganza provide grants that are allocated to Indianapolis area arts organizations.