Professional Practice for the Visual Artist

This immersive learning project covered professional practices for the visual artist from administration through creative production and final presentation involving 3 components: arts management, production and exhibition, and a professional toolkit. An interdisciplinary group of students worked with the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC) to develop 3 projects: PlySpace Artist Residency, a new NEA funded artist in residence program; That One Film Festival, a 2-day event featuring experimental film from around the world, and the production of a a community engaged public artwork.


Faculty Mentors: Brent Cole, Maura Jasper
Department: School of Art
Community Partner: Muncie Arts and Culture Council
Students: Alexis Brooks, Danielle Campbell, Mallory Creekmur, Veronica DeBone, Mike Dorsey, Mikey Higgins, Megan Lange, James Lupkin, Rowan Mayo, Summer Moore, Megan Sutton

Dance! Muncie After School

Students worked together to conduct research and develop dance curriculum for grades K-5, implement curriculum in Muncie Community Schools, and disseminate findings through presentations and a curriculum handbook. Upon completion of this class, the students gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance and power of dance in young lives, became well-versed in effective teaching methods, and developed strong collaborative skills.


Spring 2019

Faculty Mentor: Melanie Swihart
Department: Theatre and Dance
Community Partner: Muncie Community Schools
Students: Hannah Bertrand, Natalie Bollinger, Victoria Bullick, Katrina Conte, Lily Deeg, Carmen Gorsuch, Eugenia Jones, Kailyn Kelley, Darcy Kummerow, Greta Linder, Drew Mack, Kali Marquart, Annika Pairitz, Eddie Ramos, Samantha Shoufler, Caroline Tribl, Jillian Wilschke, Keely Wissel


Spring 2018

Faculty Mentor: Melanie Swihart
Department: Theatre and Dance
Community Partner: Muncie Community Schools
Students: Adrian Alora, Jordyn Bush, Kelsey Davis, Ella Donovan, Audrey Fosson, Alexandria Koontz, Breinne Mudrack, Erin Simons, Jillian Wilschke

Fundraising for Non-profit Organizations

Most non-profit organizations have a wonderful mission but find it a huge challenge to support those missions. Working as a collaborative team, students partnered with local non-profit organizations to identify their financial needs and to come up with different ways of supporting the organizations. The team developed promotional items ranging from brochures and pamphlets to a book of art created by street children in the Philippines as well as promotional t-shirts and stickers. In addition to providing financial support, these products will promote awareness for these organizations. By using local sustainable resources, the organizations can continue to produce these promotional items while supporting the local economy.


Spring 2018

Faculty Mentor: René Church
Department: School of Art
Community Partners: Adventist Frontier Mission, Aria’s Army, Audubon Society, Cradle of Love, Delaware County Futbol, GR3, National Association of Mental Illness, Operation Blackout
Students: Kara Barstead, Jared Brinkworth, Elizabeth Burris, Sophie Gordon, Daniel Hudson, Jordan Jimenez, Kami Kleefish, Lindsey Overstreet, Billy Rollings, Amy Tuttle, Tazia Williams


Fall 2017

Faculty Mentor: René Church
Department: School of Art
Community Partners: GR3 International, Berrien Cancer Services, Cor Fortium, Fanconi Anemia, Delaware County Futbol Club, Child Study Center, Your Story Hour
Students: JR Pegg, Leah Gabbard, Jessica Matthews, Duy Tran, Taylor Barrett, Ramsey Stevens, Bethany Gordon, Kaylie McKee, Trenton Shroeder

Creating Community Through Drama: Outreach at Muncie Civic Theatre

Muncie Civic Theatre is one of oldest civic theatres in the state and is located in one of the oldest buildings in the county. The mission of the Muncie Civic Theatre is to “enrich our whole community through theatre performance, education, and outreach.” (www.munciecivic.org) They do this on a very small budget, and an even smaller staff. The goal of this year-long immersive learning project is to help this Muncie jewel improve its outreach efforts, diversity, connection to Ball State University, volunteer program, and overall impact in the community.


Spring 2018

Faculty Mentor: Peggy Fisher
Department: Communications Studies
Community Partner: Muncie Civic Theatre
Students: Elizabeth Arnold, Cameron Cole, Hannah Cordes, Candice Gill, Brooke Gronning, Hannah Janowicz, F. Thomas Mian, Gina Strati, Devin Summan, Courtland Wood


Fall 2017

Faculty Mentor: Peggy Fisher
Department: Communication Studies
Community Partners: Muncie Civic Theatre
Students: Elizabeth Arnold, Cameron Cole, Hannah Cordes, Candice Gill, Brooke Gronning, Hannah Janowicz, F. Thomas Mian,
Gina Strati, Courtland Wood

Book Arts Collaborative

Book Arts Collaborative is a community letterpress and book bindery located in the Madjax Building in downtown Muncie. We preserve and teach apprentice-taught skills and run a small business. We teach analog design skills, business skills, and professionalization of all majors.


Faculty Mentors: Rai Peterson, Colleen Steffen, Amy Trendler
Departments: English, Journalism, University Libraries
Community Partners: Tribune Showprint Posters, Inc.
Students: Lauren Hansen, Marisa Sloan, Holly Westerfield, Kaytlyn Bell, Natalie Rokosz, Tier Marrow, Hannah Bihn, Sophie Gordon

A Light in Space

Through experiential learning of the essentials of lighting technology and design, “A Light in the Space” has aimed to provide guidance and resources that advance the quality and opportunities for lighting design in Muncie Civic Theatre’s future productions. These resources are meant to enhance the overall experience and focus on the diverse art of theatre through lighting design. These resources are manifest in a repertory light plot as well as a plan for upgrading the lighting technology of Muncie Civic Theatre.


Faculty Mentor: Mickie Marie
Department: Theatre and Dance
Community Partner: Youth Opportunity Center
Students: Libby Amaya, Katrina Conte, Max Cseresznyes, Jessica Custer, Samatha Flannelly, Rachel Hemm, May Hickman, Casey Kalinke, Chris Marsh, Kalee Mccullar, Addy Monger,
Avery Unate, Austin Zimmerman