Articles by Mike Rhodes

Arts Organizations Encouraged to Apply for ‘Community Engagement for the Arts Grant’

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE – Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Community Engagement for the Arts (CEFTA) Grant. This competitive grant program provides up to $35,000 annually to an East Central Indiana community arts-focused organization or program. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 27. To apply for the grant or for more information, go to https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/community-engagement/arts-grant-application The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant affirms Ball State’s commitment to community engagement with the greater arts community of East Central Indiana by promoting broad participation to our various community arts organizations. This grant…

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MadJax Maker Force Opens New Art Exhibition Space: TOOLSONG Gallery

By Carly Acree-King—  MUNCIE, IN —MadJax Maker Force announces the opening of TOOLSONG Gallery, a new art exhibition space located on the first floor of its downtown Muncie facility (515 E. Main Street, Muncie, IN). The gallery will officially open to the public on Thursday, February 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with an inaugural exhibition and opening night celebration featuring Untied: On Process, Drift, and Letting Go by Kevin R. Klinger. TOOLSONG Gallery is housed within a former transformer shaft inside the nearly 90-year-old industrial laundry building that now serves as MadJax’s creative hub. Once an unused vertical shaft,…


Emergence Leadership Program Returns Spring 2026

Registration Now Open for Shafer Leadership Academy’s Core Leadership Experience By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN—Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusive leadership development, is now accepting registrations for Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership, its core leadership development program, returning Spring 2026. Emergence will run April 9 through May 7, 2026, in a five-week, highly interactive format designed to accommodate working professionals while delivering meaningful, practical leadership development. Sessions will be held at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, Indiana. Emergence is Shafer Leadership Academy’s signature leadership experience, designed for both emerging and experienced leaders seeking to strengthen…


Cornerstone Center for the Arts Celebrates 100 Years of the Masonic Temple and 20 Years of Creative Impact

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN — Cornerstone Center for the Arts will host Illuminate the Arts on March 19. The fundraising celebration honors 100 years of the historic Masonic Temple and more than 20 years of Cornerstone serving as a vital hub for arts, education, and community connection in downtown Muncie. The event comes during a year of continued growth for Cornerstone, marked by expanded class offerings, increased community events, and a renewed focus on making the arts accessible to all. The organization has continued to strengthen its position as a gathering place for creativity and connection vital…


Groundhog Day at Muncie Civic Theatre, Groundhog Day at Muncie Civic Theatre, Get the Idea?

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, IN—Looking for a unique Valentine’s date night? Skip the predictable dinner reservations and share an unforgettable evening at the theatre instead. Whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, or just a mutual appreciation for smart comedy, Groundhog Day offers a night out that’s anything but ordinary. Muncie Civic Theatre invites audiences to relive the day, again and again, with its Mainstage production of Groundhog Day, running February 12 through February 22. Based on the beloved cult classic and reimagined for the stage, Groundhog Day follows Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman trapped in a time loop, forced to repeat…


Muncie’s Carnegie Library Awarded Carnegie Corporation Grant

By Kailey Armstrong— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) recently received a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States. Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Muncie’s…


‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ to Run Feb. 13-22 at the Studio at Muncie Civic Theatre

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, IN—What if one day the world suddenly decided that everything should be a musical, and you absolutely hated musicals? That’s the hilariously terrifying premise of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, running February 13-22 in the Studio at Muncie Civic Theatre. This fast-paced, laugh-out-loud musical comedy delivers big jokes, catchy songs, and just enough chaos to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. From the creators of cult-favorite musical comedies, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals follows Paul, an ordinary guy whose simple wish is to live a normal, non-singing life. Unfortunately for him, a…


Sue Errington Honored With Resolution on Indiana House Floor

By Sydney Kokinis, Press Secretary— INDIANAPOLIS—Yesterday, Feb. 10, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) was honored in the House, with House Resolution 24, for her years of service in improving the lives of Hoosiers. Errington, first elected to the State Senate in 2006, and later to the House of Representatives in 2012, will retire at the conclusion of her term this November. During her time in office, Errington focused on strengthening public health and safety, supporting families and ensuring communities have the tools they need to respond to emergencies. Most recently, she led efforts to create Indiana’s Yellow Dot Program, a measure…


AAUW Accepting Scholarship Applications From Students 25 Years Old or Older

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The application for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship is now available. Applications are due Wednesday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2026-2027 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students who are 25 years old or older Students who are an undergraduate or graduate student at Ball State University or Ivy Tech Community College –An undergraduate…


Meridian Health Services to Provide Free Dental Exams for Children on Feb. 16

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN– Meridian Health Services is providing FREE dental exams for one-day only for children up to 18 years of age on Monday, February 16 from 2 – 5 p.m. at participating Meridian locations throughout Indiana. This event, Give Kids a Smile®, is in partnership with the American Dental Association’s nationwide initiative to provide children in need with quality oral health care and education. Oral health is a vital part of whole-person health. Untreated dental diseases can contribute to serious health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Regular checkups and professional care are the keys to maintaining…