(Southeastern IN) – SEI READI, Inc. is celebrating a significant investment in Southeastern Indiana’s creative economy after four regional projects were awarded more than $1.6 million through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) READI 2.0 Lilly Endowment Inc. Arts & Culture Initiative. IEDC announced the Arts & Culture awards recipients on Monday, July 13. READI 2.0 Arts & Culture funding will support construction of the Maibaum Performing Arts Pavilion and a new 195-foot, hand-painted mural that will transform the park into a dynamic gathering place for artists, residents and visitors. By adding new artists to the space, Dillsboro Arts will be able to expand hours of operation, add new patron contacts, and increase arts programming for the community. “Arts and culture are powerful economic development tools,” said Bill Schirmer, President of the SEI READI Board of Directors.