THINGS TO DO

On a budget? Check out these 14 cheap spring Indy arts events

Ashley Petry
These pillows sold for $34 at last year's INDIEana Handicraft Exchange.

Being a patron of the arts can be pricey. Theater tickets, museum admission and other expenses add up quickly, unless you get creative with your budget. To get you started, we've rounded up 14 of the season's best arts and cultural events — mostly free, and all $13 or less.

1."You Are There: That Ayres Look" ($7)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., www.indianahistory.org, (317) 232-1882.

The Indiana Historical Society's new exhibition profiles L.S. Ayres and Company, tracing its history, its evolving fashions and its renowned window displays. Plus, you'll get an up-close peek at Indy's beloved holiday cherub. Through Aug. 16, 2016.

2.UIndy Art and Design Student Exhibition (Free)

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1400 E. Hanna Ave., www.uindy.edu, (317) 788-3253.

This annual juried exhibition features the work of budding artists in UIndy's Art and Design Department. Look for ceramics, paintings, drawings, prints, photography and more. It closes May 1.

3."Art Meets News: The Work of Photojournalist Bill Foley" ($13)

Bill Foley at the U.S. Marine base in Beirut in 1983. Through July 19, the work of Hoosier photojournalist Foley is on display at the at the Indiana State Museum.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., www.indianamuseum.org, (317) 232-1637.

Through July 19, this temporary exhibition at the Indiana State Museum highlights Hoosier photojournalist Bill Foley's Pulitzer Prize-winning work — and the various tools used by photojournalists during that time period.

4.Neighborhood Concert Series: Jazz Combos (Free)

7 p.m., April 23, Schrott Center for the Arts, 4600 Sunset Ave., www.butler.edu, (800) 368-6852

Butler University's School of Music presents its final Neighborhood Concert Series event of the spring season — a selection of jazz combos performing at the Schrott Center for the Arts. In addition, the school's spring calendar is packed with free student recitals, in everything from cello to musical composition.

5.Classical Concerts at Central (Free)

2 p.m April 26, Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., www.imcpl.org, (317) 275-4100.

Musicians from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform on a smaller scale, presenting selections of chamber music in the library's Clowes Auditorium. Check the calendar for additional performances in May, June and July.

6.Exhibition Opening: "Alpha Romeo Tango" (Free)

The Harrison Center for the Arts presents Alpha Romeo Tango, a group show in the Harrison Gallery on Friday, May 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. Participating artists include Kipp Normand.

6 to 10 p.m. May 1, Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delaware St., www.harrisoncenter.org, (317) 396-3886.

NATO's phonetic alphabet served as the inspiration for artworks in this group show (through May 29), which includes artists such as Kyle Ragsdale and Asa Gauen. Afterward, you can explore the open studios of more than 30 resident artists.

7.Exhibition Opening: "Look/See 2015" (Free)

4 to 9 p.m. May 7, Eskenazi Hall, 735 W. New York St. and Eskenazi Fine Arts Center, 1410 Indiana Ave.,www.herron.iupui.edu, (317) 278-9423.

This annual group show celebrates the students of the Herron School of Art and Design, including both undergraduates and MFA candidates. This year, you can also get a peek at the school's new Think It Make It Lab, which offers laser-cutting and 3D-printing technology.

8.Broad Ripple Art Fair ($13)

May 16-17, Indianapolis Arts Center, 820 E. 67th St., www.indplsartcenter.org, (317) 255-2464

The IAC's annual extravaganza features more than 225 artists and artisans, along with live music and hands-on activities. Don't miss the gourmet food court or the beer and wine tastings.

9.Indianapolis Children's Choir: "Hear Our Song" ($12)

3 and 7 p.m. May 17, Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1400 E. Hanna Ave., www.iccchoir.org, (317) 940-9640.

Before they head off on summer tours, the Indianapolis Children's Choir's top singers will perform two shows. If you'd rather hear the choir's youngest singers, check out the "Spring Celebration" concert on May 16 instead.

10."Crescendo" (Free)

7:30 p.m. May 22, Lawn at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., www.indyopera.org, (317) 283-3531.

The Indianapolis Opera and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra have teamed up to present this free community concert, a program of orchestral favorites and beloved tunes from Broadway and the opera stage. General-admission lawn seating is free, but reserved seats are $10 to $25.

11.Exhibition Opening: "The Water Show" (Free)

"Will Scott" by William A. Rasdell.

6 to 9 p.m. June 5, 924 N. Pennsylvania St., www.indyarts.org, (317) 631-3301.

Gallery 924's summer group show, "The Water Show," spotlights digital artist William A. Rasdell. He recently won the best-in-show award at the Arts Council's African Diaspora exhibition, part of the Art & Soul celebration.

12.Exhibition Opening: "Material World" (Free)

6 to 8 p.m. June 12, Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St., www.indplsartcenter.org, (317) 255-2464.

The Indianapolis Art Center's summer exhibition highlights 10 national artists who create pieces using unconventional materials, such as dryer lint and YouTube videos. It closes Aug. 2.

13.INDIEana Handicraft Exchange (Free)

June 13, Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delaware St., www.indieanahandicraftexchange.com.

Indy's hippest craft fair offers everything from Space Invaders-themed cutting boards to insulated tote bags designed especially for growlers. Admission is free — beyond that, you'll have to set your own shopping budget.

14.Cadillac Barbie IN Pride Parade (Free)

Bikers ride during the Cadillac Barbie IN Pride Parade in 2014.

10 a.m. June 13, www.circlecityinpride.org.

The highlight of the annual Circle City IN Pride festival is its parade, which is named in honor of the drag queen who founded the event. It starts at the corner of Massachusetts and College avenues and winds its way toward Central Library. For the festival itself, admission is a suggested donation of $5.