Alumni Spotlight: Eric Ashby champions the arts in rural communities across Indiana

Ever since he was a young boy, Eric Ashby, director of programs for the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), knew he was destined to play the drums.

"Music has always been my first love," Eric shared. "I grew up in a musical family, so I was immersed in it early on."

His passion for rhythm and making noise emerged in his childhood as he would playfully bang on pots and pans on his parents’ kitchen floor—an early sign of the drummer he would eventually become.

Eric fondly recalls how he first started playing.

"When I was little, my parents used it as a bribe. They told me that if I finished potty training, they’d get me a drum set."

That was all the motivation he needed. From that moment on, there was no turning back as the arts would become a central part of his life.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Eric’s passion for the musical arts eventually led him to the Hoosier state, where he would study at Indiana University. Instead of pursuing a degree in drumming, however, he instead focused on the broader role of facilitating connections between communities and meaningful arts experiences, earning a B.A. in arts management, an M.P.A., and an M.A. in arts administration.

But that didn’t stop him from playing the drums.

Throughout college, Eric kept his love for music alive by jamming in a band called Side Hustle, performing at staple Bloomington venues like the Indiana Memorial Union and Bluebird.

"It was such a blast,” Eric said. “We played all sorts of different stuff and got to meet some incredible musicians too."

During this time, his admiration for Bloomington’s arts and culture scene grew, deepening his appreciation for the creative talent emerging from Indiana.

"It was just such a vibrant scene," Eric said. "I had a great time playing and meeting all the talented people within Bloomington’s arts community."

From offering advanced training opportunities to providing crucial grant funding, the IAC is a state agency that helps directly support Indiana artists, arts organizations, and communities in a plethora of ways.

As the director of programs, Eric oversees the strategic vision and direction of all the IAC’s programs, grants, and services that the agency provides to ensure they provide a demonstrable public benefit to Indiana’s people and communities.

"I really gravitated toward it because I deeply value the idea of a mission-driven organization—one that serves the public good, seeks to understand community needs, and delivers something meaningful in return," Eric said.

His role, focused on ensuring that the programs and investments provided by the IAC remain relevant and impactful, involves actively listening to the evolving needs of the arts and culture sector—especially in rural areas—and responding at a state level.

"In a way, I try to keep a finger on the pulse of these communities to make sure what we offer is not only meaningful, but also accessible.” explained Eric. “This allows us to reach artists across the entire state."

Although his job is multifaceted and demanding, what keeps Eric motivated is the same spark that first drew him to the arts—his days as a performer and the magic of shared experiences through music.

"When the first three notes of a song play, and someone instantly recognizes it, you see the smile spread across their face,” Eric said. “Then for the next 60 minutes, reality is suspended, and everyone is completely immersed in that moment. Fostering those special experiences are what keep me going."

From banging on kitchenware as a child to performing in college, and now directing programs that uplift artists and communities, his journey has come full circle.

Years later, Eric is still making noise. Now, it can be heard far beyond any kitchen or stage, echoing through rural towns and creative spaces across the state of Indiana.