By Kallie Sulanke—
MUNCIE, IN– A $4 million READI 2.0 Arts and Culture Award will support the Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections project in Muncie, Ind. The grant is part of a $65 million statewide investment led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission, made possible through a historic grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections represents the efforts of more than 25 partners from across the community with a shared vision to create opportunities for engagement that build the local creative economy. Projects supported through the grant include:
- A hub for the creative sector in partnership with MuncieArts
- Expansion of the theatre campus and activation of the Commercial Club Building in partnership with Muncie Civic Theatre
- Establishing gateways around the Creative Corridor in partnership with MadJax Maker Force and Washington Square Plaza
- Opening corridor-facing entrances of historic buildings in partnership with Cornerstone Center for the Arts and Muncie Public Library
- Publicly linking adjacent assets in partnership with Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, Ball State University, and Muncie Downtown Development Partnership
Application and administration of the award from the IEDC is led by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County.
“Together, these investments will claim the Corridor and create welcoming conditions to activate downtown Muncie and connections to Ball State University and Minnetrista as a regional cultural destination,” said Marcy Minton, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. “This development will expand access to creative opportunities, support talent attraction, bolster economic growth, and enhance long-term vitality throughout east central Indiana.”
Downtown Renewal: Creative Corridor and Connections builds upon the Creative Space Action Plan, a plan developed with significant community input to support economic development through the creative sector and create a strong sense of belonging for creatives and those who seek them out.
Partners include the Foundation, City of Muncie, Ball State University, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Arts and Culture Council, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, and four anchor arts organizations in the planned Corridor including Muncie Civic Theatre, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, MadJax Maker Force, and the Carnegie Branch of the Muncie Public Library. Additional partners in the planned Corridor include economic development and civic leaders, major employers, and local small businesses, developers, and independent artists.
Since 2023, partners have advanced planning, downtown infrastructure improvements, building acquisitions, and stabilized key organizations to lay the foundation for big transformation.
The READI 2.0 Arts and Culture award represents movement on phase 3 of the Creative Corridor and Connections project, with phases 1 & 2 including physical infrastructure improvements, building acquisition, and partnership development.
About The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County helps people, supports place, and encourages possibility in Muncie and Delaware County. With an endowment of over $100 million, the Foundation has distributed more than $80 million in grants and scholarships to date.
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