Ray Bradbury @IU Indianapolis

Last week we celebrated the opening of the Ray Bradbury Center at IU Indianapolis. To say that this is truly a treasure for IU Indianapolis, and really for our communities in Central Indiana is an understatement. One of the most celebrated writers in the 20^th century, his work in making horror, and science fiction come alive through mystery in a way that captures our fantasy, is hard to describe – it must be experienced and through reading. The speakers at the opening led by Jason Aukerman whose research centers on the works of Bradbury, delighted us, each in their own way. Bill Oberst, Jr. who has toured giving theatrical readings of Bradbury’s works awed us with a theatrical rendering; Ben Asaykwee an Indianapolis based actor, playwright, and musician spoke about Bradbury; Chuck Costas, whose work centers around movie collectables spoke of Bradbury’s influence on Hollywood sci-fi.

Our sincere gratitude to our own Professor Eller who Bradbury trusted and who is the reason we have the collection here. And of course our kudos to Dean Eitle, Jason Aukerman, VC for Finance (VCF), Camy Broker and VC for Research (VCR), Phaedra Corso who worked behind the scenes to get this done.

This is just the beginning. This year we launch the IU Indianapolis Common Read Program through the IU Indianapolis Arts and Humanities Institute. Our Common Read 2026 is Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man. Do check out the resources linked in the Event Toolkit linked on the webpage. From talking points to a reading guide (including one in Spanish), artwork and discussion toolkit, the page offers much to read, learn, understand, and share. To date VCR Corso and her team have distributed close to 1,500 copies of the book through the Indianapolis Public Library system, the Speedway Library, and several community partners. On our campus the books were distributed during Bridge Week, Weeks of Welcome, Regatta, and through peer mentors, staff and faculty councils, schools on campus, our IU Indianapolis library, to the IU Indianapolis Chancellor’s Board of Advisors, and the President’s Office.

Students from our Herron School of Art + Design have designed a button/sticker that is a collectible – be sure to get yours. Posters of the designs will be displayed in the Ray Bradbury Research Archives, and also at the Ray Bradbury Center.

Do mark, register, and attend the Common Read program on November 10, 2026 at the Indiana Historical Society from 5:30 – 7:30 pm followed by a book signing. The event will feature a panel discussion led by Maurice Broaddus, an award-winning Afrofuturist, editor, and librarian, who has published over a hundred short stories. Panelists include Daniel Kraus, a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film, and Abigail Fraeman, a research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who is currently working on the Curiosity Mars rover project.