By Kallie Sulanke—
MUNCIE, IND. – Muncie residents are invited to learn about creative spaces in our community during a public forum on Tuesday, March 12. National consultant Artspace will share examples of creative space projects and arts assets to spur ideas and facilitate conversations about what the public would like to see in Muncie. The public is invited to be a part of the conversation from 5:30 to 7:30 on March 12 at Muncie Civic Theater.
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has invited Artspace, the nation’s leading nonprofit developer and consultant of affordable space for artists and arts organizations, to develop a Creative Space Action Plan that articulates short and long-term implementation strategies for strengthening the local creative sector. This plan will serve as a roadmap to support arts and creative placemaking activities that establish an arts identity for Muncie and Delaware County.
“Arts, entertainment, and recreation have the potential to create a culture of pride for a community,” said Marcy Minton, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. “This is an opportunity to have a plan that builds upon positive momentum and embraces the arts in Muncie and Delaware County.”
Community members attending the public forum can expect to share ideas about what the creative sector is missing, provide feedback about potential sites for creative space redevelopment projects, and look at fresh ideas to serve the needs of creatives in Muncie. The presentation and discussion will be led by Artspace.
The Community Foundation engaged Artspace with the support of a planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, GIFT VIII (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow). The six-month engagement with Artspace will feature a three-day visit to Muncie by Artspace consultants. During their visit, Artspace will host four focus groups and the public forum and participate in extensive tours of Muncie’s arts assets. The engagement will result in a Creative Space Action Plan Report that can be shared with appropriate stakeholders across the community.
A core planning group of community partners are preparing for Artspace’s visit and engaging Next Muncie’s Arts and Culture Project Management Team for assistance.
Public input is vital for the Action Plan. Join us to explore Muncie’s arts and cultural assets as they are today and help us think creatively about what they could become. Tuesday, March 12, at 5:30 at Muncie Civic Theatre. Hosted by Artspace and The Community Foundation.
About The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. encourages philanthropy, assists donors in building an enduring source of charitable assets, and exercises leadership in directing resources to enhance the quality of life for residents of Muncie and Delaware County. Since 1985, community members and businesses have helped the Foundation grow our endowment to $88 million. Using the earnings on the endowment, the Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations, including scholarships to support students through post-secondary education. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $65 million to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Muncie and Delaware County.
About Artspace
Artspace is America’s leading nonprofit developer for the arts, committed to developing affordable, sustainable spaces that equip artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to live and work. By employing the strategies of real estate development, Artspace promotes not only accessible artist housing, workforce housing, and individual artist studios, but has also been a catalyst for communities and creative hubs rooted in the cultural sector for decades. For 40+ years, Artspace has spearheaded the growing nationwide movement towards community revitalization through the arts, with our efforts emanating from our Minneapolis headquarters and extending through offices in New York and Washington D.C. As the nation’s foremost developer of arts facilities, and creative workforce housing Artspace has also provided expert consultancy to numerous communities and arts organizations across the country. For more information, visit our website at www.artspace.org.
