Musician and Indiana native John Mellencamp will donate archived collections of his work to Indiana University, IU President Pamela Whitten announced at the IU Mellencamp Symposium on Friday.
The collection will include original creative works, instruments, photographs and other items related to his philanthropy, social activism and artistry, according to News at IU press release. In addition, a sculpture will be built to honor the musician near the IU Auditorium.
Journalists, academic scholars and musicians were invited to attend the IU Mellencamp Symposium, which took place in Franklin Hall on Friday. The gathering explored the social and cultural impact of Mellencamp’s work through interactive talks, panel discussions and a live interview with the musician.
Whitten also announced during the symposium that the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art will partner with Mellencamp to launch an exhibition in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the press release. The exhibition will showcase Mellencamp’s artistic expression, pay tribute to his accomplishments and allow students to engage with Mellencamp’s original works of art. The Eskenazi Museum of Art website will have more information on the exhibition as plans develop.
“John’s impact on music and American culture is immense,” Whitten said in the press release. “On behalf of Hoosiers everywhere, I am exceptionally proud of John’s lifelong association with IU and deeply grateful to him for selecting the university as the permanent home for his archives.”
