The U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council (USCHT) announces that the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) has become a member of the organization.

In announcing this new partnership, Sheila Armstrong, President of the USCHT Marketing Council, said, “We are especially pleased to welcome such a prestigious institution as the Indianapolis Museum of Art  as a member of our organization.  The Indianapolis Museum of Art is among the 10 largest and 10 oldest encyclopedia art museums in the United States.  It has a remarkable collection of African, American, Asian, European and contemporary art and a newly established collection of design art. The potential to expand the awareness of this cultural gem for more visitors to discover is an opportunity we look forward to capitalizing on in this partnership.”

“We are very pleased to join with the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council to expand our marketing to the cultural traveler,” said Connie Dyer, Deputy Director of Marketing and External Affairs for the Indianapolis Museum of Art,“It is well-documented that the cultural traveler is a very lucrative travel segment.  They spend more and stay longer, which can greatly benefit the economy of our museum.  This partnership with USCHT will help to reinforce our brand position as a leader in the cultural travel arena.”

The IMA offers visitors an expansive view of arts and culture through its collection of more than 54,000 works of art that span 5,000 years of history from across the world's continents.  The collections include paintings, sculpture, furniture and design objects, prints, drawings and photographs as well as textiles.  Recognizing the inherent connections between art, design and nature, the IMA offers visitors experiences at the Museum, in 100 acres:  The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, which is the one of the largest contemporary art parks in the United States, and at Oldfields—Lilly House & Gardens; a historic Country Place Era estate on the IMA's grounds.

The IMA and the USCHT have plans to work together to market the area's cultural offerings including developing and marketing packages that appeal to the cultural and heritage visitors. For additional information about visiting the IMA, visit imamusem.org.  For additional information regarding the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and its Cultural Traveler packages, visit TheCulturalTraveler.com.

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About the Indianapolis Museum of Art

Founded in 1883, the Indianapolis Museum of Art serves the creative interests of its communities by fostering exploration of arts, design and the natural environment. Encompassing 152 acres of gardens and grounds, the IMA is among the 10 oldest and 10 largest encyclopedic art museums in the United States and features significant collections of African, American, Asian, European, contemporary art and design arts that spans 5,000 years of history. Additionally, art, design, and nature are featured at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, Oldfields–Lilly House and Gardens, a historic Country Place Era estate and National Historic Landmark on the IMA grounds and the Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana, one of the country's most highly regarded examples of mid-century Modernist residences. For more information visit www.imamuseum.org.

About the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council                                        

The U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council represents leading U.S. Tourism Destinations, attractions and travel partners engaged in marketing U.S. Cultural and Heritage to travelers from throughout the USA and around the world. The U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council was formed as a direct outcome of the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Summit held in Washington, DC in October 2005. The primary purpose of this travel trade association is to package, market and sell U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism experiences to domestic and international visitors.

For additional information about the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, visit TheCulturalTraveler.com or call 843-341-6392. To view and purchase the USCHT Marketing Council's cultural & heritage packages, visit TheCulturalTraveler.com.     

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