Tag: Muncie

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Regional Arts & Culture Plan

The Regional Arts & Culture Plan is now available! The plan is the result of months of collaboration with artists, community leaders, cultural organizations, and residents from across the region. It provides a long-term roadmap for strengthening quality of life, supporting the creative economy, and elevating arts and culture as a core component of regional development.
 
You can find the full regional arts plan, a short executive summary, and a recording of the launch event from December on the Forge East Central Indiana website at grow.forgeeci.com/arts-and-culture-plan/.
 
This plan reflects a simple but powerful truth about our region: we make things here—from art and music to places, ideas, and communities. We invite you to explore the plan, share it with others, and consider how its goals and strategies might support your work. MAP board and task force members were privileged to help shape the vision and look forward to continuing this work together.
 
The regional arts plan directly correlates to Muncie’s Creative Space Action Plan. The Creative Space Action Plan (CSAP), which outlines actionable steps to expand affordable creative spaces, enhance public engagement, and support the arts as a driving force for economic growth and quality of life in Muncie based on extensive input from residents, artists, and local organizations. It  is available at https://www.cfmdin.org/news/creative-space-action-plan.

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Neighborhood Associations Matter

Heat map image showing the progression of activity among Muncie's neighborhoods from 2014 to 2024

Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) was created in 2014 to provide a bridge between the resources of Ball State University and the needs of Muncie’s neighborhoods. Over the last eleven years, the program has helped neighborhoods across the city develop strong neighborhood associations and that work is tracked annually using the “Spectrum of Development”. The Spectrum survey asks neighborhoods to self-report on a number of development factors like whether they have an elected Board of Directors, if they meet regularly, and how they communicate with their residents. This information allows BBN to develop trainings that match the needs of the neighborhoods to assist them in moving along the Spectrum if that is their collective wish.

Why do functioning neighborhood associations matter? Because they facilitate achieving common goals by providing a single, unified voice for the neighborhood. Associations improve quality of life by organizing and helping residents work towards preservation and improvements within the neighborhoods. And they build community by planning and holding social events that bring neighbors together.

If you would like to get involved in your area, but don’t know where to start, choose your neighborhood from this list to learn more, or contact your neighborhood leader.

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Did you miss this year’s $2 Tour of the Village?

The “$2 Tour of the Village” returned Saturday, Aug. 24, on University Avenue between Calvert and Dill Streets.

Not only was admission free to this event but the first 100 people through the gates were given a $2 bill to spend on awesome $2 items from Village businesses (an Art Mart goodie bag or a $2 t-shirt from Screenbroidery, just to name a few).

This fifth-year event was hosted by the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), the Muncie Action Plan, and Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, with additional support from the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership and Ball Brothers Foundation.

“We wanted to create a fun festival for incoming freshmen and returning students to experience all that the Village has to offer,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement at Ball State University and Program Manager for Building Better Neighborhoods, as well as MAP President. “We also hoped that Muncie residents would stop by and enjoy the $2 samples, vendors, music, and entertainment.”

More than 50 vendor and organization booths lined the street, and The Guardian Brewing Company had a tent in the middle of all the action selling their local brews. There were grassy areas with comfy seating and lawn games, a high striker, dunk tank shenanigans (for charity), mechanical bull riding, and a hot pepper-eating contest.

Two stages offered non-stop entertainment. On the West Stage, the area’s must-see bands performed – Free Joel and Jerry Barker. On the East Stage, performers included The Aerial Annex, University Singers, and the Shamaniacs Drum Troupe.

The first 300 attendees received $2 Tour Guides with Passports. Those with passports could have them stamped at certain Village businesses. Once the passports were filled, attendees were eligible to win lots of great prizes!

“The Village is a special place, a historic commercial corridor for the Riverside/Normal City neighborhood and a gathering space for students where a lot of memories are made off-campus,” Williams said. “We wanted to continue to build on and support the unique culture and character of the Village, and the $2 Tour was an opportunity to do just that!”

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Your opinions needed!

2026-2029 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community Survey

The City of Muncie is creating the 2026-2029 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan to determine which recreational facilities and programs are needed in the future. We are seeking input from your household to help us determine those needs. Please participate in this survey!

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2023 Spectrum of Development Update

Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) was established as a program of Ball State University in 2014. Over the last ten years BBN has helped neighborhood associations meet development goals that fall within the “Spectrum of Development”. These include things like registering at the Indiana Secretary of State as a non-profit and acquiring a bank account in the name of the association. BBN has also assisted in setting up social media accounts and providing sample Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. Every neighborhood is different, and their needs are unique. BBN strives to meet every neighborhood where they are in their development journey and provide the assistance required to get them where they want to be to best meet the needs of their residents. 

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2024 MAP Annual Report to the Community

A woman in a gray sweater with her arm around a child in a black hoodie. They are holding a chalkboard on which is written "Welcoming and Open Community!"

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 AT 6:00 PM 

Muncie Action Plan Logo

Annual Report to the Community Muncie Action Plan (MAP) invites YOU to MAP’s Annual Report to the Community. Join us on Wednesday, January 31st at 6:00 in the Indiana Room at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens for a look back at the last year of MAP activities and learn about the exciting things to come in 2024. 

Incoming MAP Board President, Heather Williams, will present updates on the 2023 MAP activities with highlights from each Task Force leader.