Mass Ave Cultural Arts District

Meg Storrow (with a strong assist from partner John Kinsella) plays a central, multifaceted role in the development and preservation of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District (MACAD) in Indianapolis. As a resident and professional urban planner, her work bridges the gap between community advocacy and technical design.

Primary Leadership Role
Board Chair & President: Meg serves as the President of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District Board of Directors. In this capacity, she leads the 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s mission to promote the arts, heritage, and economic prosperity of the district. The work entails:

• Being a Community Advocate: She represents the district in broader city discussions where she advocates for Cultural District priorities and support.
• Expressing Core Interests and Vision: Meg’s involvement is driven by a specific philosophy of "vibrant connectivity." Her interests in the district include:
• Promoting Multimodal Connectivity: She is a strong advocate for making Mass Ave a premier example of a walkable and bikeable urban corridor. She emphasizes the integration of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and other pedestrian pathways to ensure the district remains accessible without a car.
• Advocating for Equitable Development: Recently, she has championed the need for family-friendly housing and affordable spaces for locally-owned businesses within the district. TheDistrict has publicly pushed for responsible development of vacant or underutilized properties to ensure the neighborhood remains diverse and inclusive.
• Promoting Shared Stewardship: Through initiatives like the "Clean & Green" volunteer program, she promotes the idea that the district's beauty, from its 52 flowerbeds to its public art, is a collective responsibility of the residents and business owners.
• Developing Digital Engagement: Under her leadership, the district launched a dedicated phone app in 2025 to help visitors navigate the "Mass Ave Mile," participate in local treasure hunts, and stay informed about events like the Mass Ave Summerfest.

Through her professional work as co‑founder of Storrow Kinsella Associates, a landscape architecture and urban design firm, Meg has helped design defining elements of the district’s physical identity, including wayfinding signage, green spaces, and pedestrian‑focused infrastructure. This hands‑on experience informs her nuanced understanding of how design, cultural expression, and everyday use come together in the ongoing stewardship of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District.

"Meg’s work is characterized by a commitment to integrating placemaking with multimodal connectivity systems, transforming the district into an active, livable, and interconnected place."