April Newsletter Announcements

D.I.C.E Challenge-Community Business Pitch Recap

What a night at the D.I.C.E. Challenge (Dreams, Ingenuity, Creativity & Entrepreneurship) Community Business Pitch Competition! Early-stage entrepreneurs from across Southeastern Indiana took the stage for an unforgettable evening of live pitches, bold ideas, and big dreams in motion.

With a live audience watching and a panel of five judges ready to listen, each finalist stepped into the spotlight at Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, IN to share their vision, answer questions, and compete for over $40,000 in funding.

This event was created to identify, support, and invest in emerging small businesses and innovative concepts right here in our region—and the room was filled with excitement, support, and momentum for what’s next.

🏆 Congratulations to our winners:
The Dragonfly App™: $19,000
Tallow Me Softly, LLC: $8,000
Rooftop on Main, LLC: $5,000
Lacey & Line Studio: $4,000
Timeless Harvest Farms, LLC: $4,000
The Connection Alliance: $500

Thank you to our judges, partners, and those who showed up to support these growing entreprenuers! This opportunity was made possible by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

This is just the beginning for these entrepreneurs.🚀

Indie Filmmaking Masterclass Recap

🎬 That’s a wrap on our Indie Filmmaking Masterclass! 🎥

Over the course of this immersive experience, 10 aspiring filmmakers didn't just learn about filmmaking, they lived the full process from idea to final cut.

At the Gibson Theater, we kicked things off with storytelling and development—diving into story structure, character building, and what it really takes to create a film that connects with an audience. From there, attendees explored producing and directing, learning how to lead a set, build a team, and bring their vision to life. They discovered how the story truly comes together through editing, sound design, and color grading! 🎞️🎧

From concept development to filming and final edits, this Masterclass guided attendees through every stage of the filmmaking journey.

A huge thank you to our incredible instructor Joe Herbert, from The Herbert Brothers, and to our talented attendees for making this experience such a success. We can't wait to see the stories you bring to life next! ✨

Indiana Arts Commission Grant

Thank you to the Indiana Arts Commission for supporting the 2026 Indie Filmmaking Masterclass! This $4,000 grant enabled GPS to engage industry professional Joe Herbert of Herbert Brothers Entertainment to lead the masterclass! 🎬🎨

This Indie Filmmaking Masterclass aligns with Southeastern Indiana's newly released Arts & Culture Plan. It will build creative skills in the region and empower filmmakers to tell stories that highlight Southeastern Indiana's people, places, and culture. By supporting local storytellers, we are creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect, collaborate, and grow the region's creative sector.

A Summer of STREAM Registration

Drum roll.....🥁☀️ A Summer of STREAM 2026 registration is open! This summer is bringing back your favorite camps and introducing exciting new adventures! 🔬🎨💡 Whether you're a young scientist, baker, or future engineer, there’s something for every student this summer!