The organization was established in 1998 by Jeff Martin and Fred Shields. After nearly two years of exchanging ideas and planning and with the help of Jeremy Efroymson, the first event was held. Dubbed Allotropy and held in a vacant space at 10 W. Washington St. in April 2000, the event showcased 21 artists, several student artists, live entertainment by local musicians, and food provided by Rock Bottom Brewery. Approximately 800 patrons attended the event, which set a new standard for independent grassroots art events in the city.

After the success of the first event, Primary Colours realized the potential Allotropy had to make a difference in the city. Also recognizing how much work it would take to continue their effort, Primary Colours asked three more artists to join in the cause: Robert Evans III, Tony Garcia, and Dane Sauer.

Since that time, Primary Colours has organized many more major visual arts events in Indianapolis. Using vacant buildings as our gallery space, Primary Colours has exhibited the work of more than 100 locally based artists to a combined audience of 6,000+ people, all of which, in turn, generated over $46,000 for the local arts community.

In July 2002, the group invited Larry Endicott and Jim Clinger to join Primary Colours. In 2005, Primary Colours expanded its board to include Brian Myers, Janine Betsey, Alan Schoff, Hugh Vandivier, Joanna Nixon, and Shannan Schaaf, who currently bring board membership up to ten. This expansion of the board has filled gaps in fundraising, marketing and administration. It has also enabled Primary Colours to develop a more effective committee structure that oversees the administrative and operational functions of the organization and programs, that allows for the diversification of responsibilities, and that provides an appropriate match of talents and areas of expertise.