By Ball State Communications—
MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University is welcoming to campus a guest lecturer who is a recognized community leader and national speaker on the role of the arts in civic life.
The upcoming Fred Meyer Lecture in Cultural Policy and Arts Advocacy—in partnership with the Center for Economic and Civic Learning’s 2025 Conference on Civic Studies and Democracy at Ball State—features Michael Greer, president and CEO of ArtsFund Seattle, Washington State’s largest independent, unrestricted arts and culture funder. Beyond Washington State, Mr. Greer contributes to national and international conversations on the role of creativity in shaping more vibrant societies. He leverages his diverse experience to create practical and inspiring community solutions through the arts. He champions the transformative power of creativity to enrich lives and strengthen society.
The Meyer Lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 in the ballroom of Ball State’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture. An opening reception near the lecture site will be held from 5-6 p.m.
“Michael Greer will speak to his experience as a leader of ArtsFund Seattle, as a national advocate for the arts and non-profits, and as a former dancer and Executive Director of the Oregon Ballet Theatre,” said Dr. Lara Kuykendall, director of the School of Art and associate professor of art history at Ball State. “He knows how to develop the cultural and financial conditions to sustain creative thinkers, makers, and doers.”
Mr. Greer has decades of experience in for-profit and nonprofit organizations across the United States, India, and China. His professional background spans financial services, manufacturing, performing arts, arts administration, and philanthropy. As a seasoned cross-sector leader, Mr. Greer firmly believes in the interconnectedness of public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
With an academic foundation in economics, mathematics, and education—and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania—Mr. Greer applies a lifetime of interdisciplinary knowledge to foster healthier, more connected communities.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University.
