By Kallie Sulanke—
MUNCIE, IN— If you’ve spent time in downtown Muncie, you’ve seen that creativity is everywhere.
It lives in performances at Muncie Civic Theatre, in the studios at MadJax Maker Force, in exhibitions at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, in monthly Arts Walks, and in the quiet inspiration found inside the Carnegie Library branch of the Muncie Public Library. It’s in the very architecture of the downtown buildings. These places have long been part of Muncie’s community identity.
For years, however, these hubs of arts and culture operated more like individual destinations than a connected experience. That’s beginning to change.
A new effort—Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections—is focused on strengthening downtown Muncie as a shared arts and culture destination for East Central Indiana.
The Origins of Muncie’s Creative Corridor
The idea didn’t appear overnight. It took the input of hundreds of individuals, hours and hours of research and planning, and applications for funding. All of the feedback, suggestions, and big visions came straight from the community.
In 2024, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County brought together artists, organizations, developers, and residents to ask a simple question: What would it take to make our arts community stronger, more accessible, and more connected?
More than 300 voices helped shape the answer.
That work became the Creative Space Action Plan—a roadmap grounded in community input and focused on expanding access, elevating what we have, supporting artists, and building a more unified creative ecosystem.
Since then, progress has been steady.
Partnerships have formed. Infrastructure improvements have begun. A shared vision has taken hold: a Creative Corridor that links downtown Muncie with Ball State University and Minnetrista, creating a more seamless and welcoming experience for residents and visitors. Phases 1 and 2 focused on foundational supports, including the creation of a partner network and leadership group, reimagination of MuncieArts as an arts service organization, and investment in downtown infrastructure to serve as a backdrop for a vibrant arts hub in Muncie.
Investment in Muncie’s Future
None of this work happens without funding.
The READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative is a $65 million statewide investment supporting arts- and culture-driven projects across Indiana’s READI 2.0 regions. The goal is to advance projects that strengthen regional identity, quality of life, creative workforce development, and long-term community vitality. This program was launched in February of 2026 by Governor Mike Braun.
“Strong communities are built on more than infrastructure—they’re built on culture, creativity, and opportunity,” said Governor Braun in the press release about the READI 2.0 project. “Through this initiative, we’re empowering our regions to invest in arts and culture projects that enhance quality of life, attract talent, and fuel economic momentum across Indiana.”
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County applied for funding on behalf of the Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections project. Funding decisions are expected to be announced in early July 2026.
Next Steps: Improvements & Connection
The next phase, Phase 3, of the project is about bringing that early vision to life.
Planned improvements will help activate underused spaces and strengthen the connections between key arts destinations. Public spaces will invite interaction and exploration. The work will create a central hub for the arts.
A new home for MuncieArts is planned within the Commercial Club Building—transforming vacant space into a place for gathering, learning, and collaboration. It will serve as a resource for artists and creative entrepreneurs, offering professional development, connections, and support for the region’s growing creative workforce.
Just as important as the physical improvements is the idea of connection.
How often have you heard a Muncie native say something along the lines of, “I’ve lived here my entire life and never knew we had that!”
Collaborative branding and wayfinding will help tie the individual elements and locations of the corridor together, making it easier to navigate and understand as a unified experience. Trails and pathways will strengthen the links between destinations. Public art will invite people to pause, engage, and explore more of the community.
Together, these elements will transform a collection of places into something much more powerful: a shared cultural destination.
Collaboration is the Key for the Creative Corridor
This is a large undertaking. This effort is supported by a broad coalition of partners—nonprofits, businesses, educators, civic leaders, and community members—all working towards the same goal. It’s a reflection of something The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County believes deeply: meaningful progress happens when people come together around a powerful shared vision.
The result will be bigger than any single project or initiative that could have been brought forth independently.
It’s going to be a downtown that feels more connected.
It will be an arts community that feels supported and accessible.
It’s a region that continues to grow—not just economically, but culturally.
When creativity is supported, connected, and shared, it will define Muncie.
This is Phase 3 of Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections. Updates on this Phase and the upcoming Phases 4 and 5 will be shared with the community as goals are met.
About The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County has been serving the local community since 1985, supporting philanthropy, assisting donors in building a permanent source of charitable assets, and investing in initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. With an endowment of over $100 million, the Foundation has distributed nearly $80 million in grants and scholarships to date.
Kallie Sulanke is Chief Community Partner for Outreach and Donor Relations at the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc.
The post Connecting the Dots: How Muncie is Building Its Creative Corridor appeared first on Muncie Journal.
