K.P. Singh Designs

Architectural landmarks from Indiana, the USA, and the world

Biography

Born in India, Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh came to the United States in 1965 to advance his educational studies. He has made Indianapolis his home since 1967. A tireless advocate of historic preservation and cultural diversity, KP has long promoted the arts as vital expressions of the human spirit.

Educational Background

KP was educated in India and the United States (see below) and earned four academic degrees. Additionally, in 2017, KP was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Butler University. His academic accomplishments include the following:

  • Teaching Fellowship, School of Architecture and Design (University of Michigan, 1965–66)
  • Master of City Planning (U of M, 1966)
  • Graduate Fellowship (Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur, 1963–64)
  • Master of Regional Planning (IIT-Kharagpur, 1964)
  • Bachelor of Architecture (Honors, IIT-Kharagpur, 1963)
  • Merit Scholarship (IIT-Kharagpur, 1958–63)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Punjab University, India, 1958)

Community Service

KP considers community service both a civic duty and a major commitment of his Sikh faith. Over the years, he has served as a volunteer on many committees and for many community events. KP is a founding member of The International Center of Indianapolis and serves as a Board Member of the Asian American Alliance. He has also served on advisory boards for: Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young Persons, Butler University Center on Faith and Vocation, Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network, and Indianapolis Police Civilian Merit Board. A 2011 FBI Citizens Academy graduate, KP additionally serves other professional and educational institutions.

A frequent participant in interfaith and humanitarian initiatives (such as the Interfaith Hunger Initiative), KP is also involved in activities and celebrations of diverse faiths and ethnic communities across Indiana. He assists with cultural training for Police Officers and TSA personnel and is a contributor to the Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. KP works with teachers, students, and civic leaders to create a better understanding of Sikh and other faith traditions and contributions. He advocates interfacing and mainstreaming ethnic talents and assets to benefit and serve all Americans.

Awards and Honors

KP is a recipient of many awards and honors:

  • Champions of Diversity - Civic Empowerment Award (Indianapolis Recorder Media Group, 2025)
  • Honorary Secretary of State (State of Indiana, March 2024 and 1985)
  • The 50 Indiana Global Leaders Award (International Center, January 2024)
  • Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (August 2022)
  • Indiana’s Most Influential Business Leaders (IBJ Media’s Indiana 250, July 2022)
  • Honored as Distinguished American-International Icon in Banner Project (Franklin Central HS, November 2021)
  • Constellation Award (Indy Asian American Times, April 2018)
  • The Golden Hoosier Award (State of Indiana, 2017)
  • Indiana Bicentennial Celebration “Ignite the Future” Speaker (December 2016)
  • First Honorary Member of the Penrod Society (2016)
  • Interfaith Ambassador of the Year (Center for Interfaith Cooperation, 2016)
  • Legacy Award (Butler University, 2016)
  • Sagamore of the Wabash (State of Indiana, 2015 and 1992)
  • Indianapolis Mayor’s Community Service Award (2014)
  • FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (2014)
  • Featured in Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Faces Project (2012)
  • Hoosier Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (Heritage Place, 2011)
  • Spirit of Baisakhi Award (The Sikh Community of Los Angeles, 2011)
  • Wilbur Peat Award for Outstanding Contribution and Appreciation of Indiana’s Architectural Heritage (Society of Architectural Historians, 2011)
  • Creative Focus Award (SIKHlens, Sikh Arts & Film Festival, 2010)
  • Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind Community Empowerment Award (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, 2010)
  • Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award (United Way of Central Indiana, 2010)
  • Gold Star Service Award (National Council of International Visitors, 2009)
  • Men of Distinction (Indiana Minority Business Magazine, 2008)
  • Miri Piri Award (The Sikh Heritage Foundation of California, 2006)
  • USA NRI Who’s Who recognition (NRIinternet.com, 2004)
  • Excellence in Arts Award (Asian American Alliance, 2002)
  • American Dreamers (Indianapolis Business Journal, 2000)
  • Achievement Award (Punjabi Cultural Society, Chicago, 1996)
  • International Citizen of the Year (International Center of Indianapolis, 1995)
  • Fadley History Award (Marion County Historical Society, 1988)
  • TRACI (To Recognize the Advancement of Culture in Indianapolis) Award (1978 and 1979)
  • Daverman Merit Award in Architecture, (University of Michigan, 1965)

Business Owner

K.P. Singh Designs, founded in 1972, specializes in fine art. KP’s distinctive, finely executed pen and ink drawings of historic architecture and monuments found in India, Europe, USA, and elsewhere reflect the combined skills of an architect, artist, historian, and educator. His art and advocacy continue to heighten awareness of the special role of significant buildings and sites in the visual, cultural, and spiritual fabric of our communities. Drawings of architectural landmarks, lovingly produced by KP, are included in many private and public collections around the world. His renderings of Indiana courthouses, colleges, places of worship, and other historic sites are present at many fundraising events. KP’s drawings of sacred places of major faiths were featured in the 2007 and 2011 SIKHlens-Sihkpoint Interfaith Calendars. In 2007, three of KP’s original drawings were installed in The Sikh Heritage Gallery at The Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

KP has also participated in the following creative efforts:

  • The Indianapolis Star – INTouch Editorial Board Member (2004–2005)
  • Book Publication – “The ART and SPIRIT of K.P. SINGH” (2003)
  • Event Co-Chair – Rangeela Punjab – Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis (1999)
  • King of the World Exhibit – Indianapolis Museum of Art (1998)
  • Co-Producer & Consultant – “Tapestry of Our Culture” video – Time Warmer Cable (1997)
  • Event Co-chair – Grand Bazaar India – Healthnet (1995)

Singh artwork and photography has been featured and discussed in: Anderson Journal; Business Week; India Abroad; India Journal; India Today; India Tribune; India West; Indian Architect & Builders; Indiana Architect; Indiana Arts Commission Directory; Indiana Division of Tourism’s SceniCircle Drives brochure; Indiana Magazine; Indianapolis At Home Magazine; Indianapolis Magazine; Indy Downtowner; Indy International; Journal Review, Crawfordsville, IN; Kokomo Tribune; Lafayette Journal and Courier; Rochester Sentinel, Rochester, IN; the 1980 Decorator’s Show House Magazine; The Arts Magazine (of the Indianapolis Junior League); The Courier Times, New Castle, IN; The Door Illustrated, Door County, WI; The Indianapolis Star and News; The Marion County Medical Society Bulletin; The Muncie Star; The Republic, Columbus, IN; The Saturday Evening Post; The South Bend Tribune; The Spokesman Weekly, New Delhi, India; Topics Newspapers; Wabash Plain Dealer Newspaper; Peopling Indiana: The Ethnic Experience; Response Magazine, N.Y.; Butler University, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Historic Landmarks Foundational-1971 NATO Mayor’s Conference; Indiana State University; Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis; Indianapolis Symphony Cultural Calendar; Marian College; Martin University; Saint Mary of the Woods; Wabash College; University of Indianapolis; and many churches, institutions, and civic publications.

Writings

KP’s words are a constant reminder of his passion and commitment to preserving and celebrating unique and outstanding architectural, artistic, and cultural assets and treasures as the collective heritage of human civilization. His writings are featured in several print and online ethnic newspapers, news magazines, and other publications that offer diverse perspectives and reflect his serious interest in matters of the human spirit.

KP’s book, The Art and Spirit of K.P. Singh ~ Selected Drawings and Writings (Guild Press - Emmis Publishing, 2003), offers a rich sampling of his writings and drawings. His writings reveal cultural insights, personal journey, and respect for diverse ideas and inspirations; universal common struggles and individual responsibility to make a difference; cultural advocacy and inalienable rights; study, leaning, networking, and serving to enhance our collective promise to life, freedoms, and happiness.

KP Singh writings have been featured in The Indianapolis Star, New York Times, the former India Journal, Sikhnet, and many other media sites and publications. KP is a frequent guest speaker and participant in community, cultural, and interfaith events and celebrations.