Community Leader Impacts Indiana Art Scene

Fred Baughman
Central Indiana Power

In the four short years since Fred Baughman moved to the community to take a position with Central Indiana Power, he has become an active advocate in several community organizations.

Currently, Fred is involved with the following organizations:

• Hancock County Arts & Cultural Council (past-President)
• Hancock County Character Council (current Board Member)
• Hancock County Redevelopment Commission (current Commissioner)
• Hancock Economic Development Council (current Secretary)
• Hancock County/Greenfield Chamber of Commerce (current Board Member)
• Fortville/McCordsville Area Chamber of Commerce (current Board Member)
• East Central Indiana Chambers Partnership (current Board Member)
• Facilities Advisory Committee to Mt. Vernon School Board (current appointee)
• Solid Waste District Advisory Board (County Commissioner’s appointee)
• Rotary Club of Greenfield – Sunrise (past-President)

Fred is also actively involved in several state, national, and international organizations:

• International Economic Development Council (past-Board Member)
• National Rural Economic Developers Association (current Board Member)
• Indiana Economic Development Association (member)
• Japan-America Society of Indiana (member)

Of all of these activities, Fred has probably had the most impact upon the community through his involvement with the local arts council.  While President of the Hancock County Arts & Cultural Council, Fred was able to accomplish the following:

• Doubled the organizations budget;
• Sponsored an Evening of Asian Performing Arts (two of the largest employers in the community have large Asian workforces) in an effort to introduce other cultures to the local citizens;
• Created a Second Friday event; where on the Second Friday of every month downtown Greenfield celebrates and promotes local artists (visual, performing, music, poetry, etc.).  In just one-year, the event is already attracting nearly a 1,000 visitors every month;
• Assisted in the development of a Downtown Arts District in Greenfield;
• Assisted in the development of an art gallery in the Downtown Arts District;
• Assisted in getting downtown Greenfield designated as a Indiana Main Street Community; and
• Began a regular concert series in the newly renovated theater in downtown Greenfield.

As you can see Fred has been very active in the development of downtown Greenfield, yet Central Indiana Power does not supply electricity to Greenfield (it has a municipal power entity).  However, Fred feels that be improving the quality of life for local residents that it improves the entire area.

Also, Fred also operates an art studio in downtown Greenfield doing oil paintings and wood carvings of nature and wildlife.