Don't let this get you down, Muncie.
It was a big step for you to apply to have a designated Cultural District as part of an Indiana Arts Commission program; to even be at that point is fantastic. After all, just a decade ago, the art and cultural scene was, shall we say, lagging.
While what would have been included in your Cultural District — downtown, Heekin Park, Ball State University and Minnetrista Cultural Center — have added greatly to your appeal, you haven't quite known how to promote yourself as a destination hotspot. I mean, if Wee Man comes to Muncie, why shouldn't everyone? (You can use that slogan if you want, by the way.)
Maybe some of the nice kids over at Ball State might be able to help? After all, the architecture, urban planning, marketing and public relations programs are nationally known, as are quite a few others. A partnership to help you better market yourself could be mutually beneficial.
Ball State students could contribute a younger perspective to a cultural district. This could help Ball State in its recruiting initiatives as well as your overall cultural scene.
Your best assets are numerous: Muncie Children's Museum, the Horizon Convention Center, Muncie Civic Theatre, many late night entertainment hotspots and more galleries than you can count on one hand. (If you had actual hands, that is.)
Though ... where was the endorsement from Carter's Hot Dogs? If the judging panel could've gotten their hands on a Carter hot dog, you would have won hands down.
With Ivy Tech Community College expanding its programs, including the Culinary School, to downtown, you now have 2,000 more students and faculty members who roam your streets. This can only help smaller businesses. Hopefully, business will keep growing.
What you need now are those strong partnerships to help you continue laying the bricks. You've got the foundation, maybe even a first level, but there's room for even more.
Muncie, you're headed in the right direction. Keep it up.
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