To be considered eligible for the Rural Placemaking Studio, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Projects must enhance or create a public space. The project site must be a public space and accessible to the greater community. If it is not currently accessible, please indicate in your application how you plan to make it accessible.
- Applications are open to both nonprofit organizations and groups without nonprofit designation. You do not need to be a 501c3, 501c6, or other type of nonprofit to apply! However, we do request that you work with a formal volunteer network or resident committee that was established before completing an application.
- This can include—but is not limited to—Main Street committees, volunteer groups, chambers of commerce, local government and municipal organizations, federally recognized tribal organizations, nonprofit community organizations, arts organizations, member cooperatives, and other resident-led groups.
- This program is designed for rural communities of 50,000 people or fewer.
- Preference is given to Indiana communities within a roughly 90-mile radius from Bloomington.
- A designated group leader or project manager must submit an application that illustrates the main ideas and designates who will be responsible for overseeing the project.
- The community group, organization, or project manager must be available for Rural Placemaking Studio events and site visits with IU students and faculty. The community partner will be expected to assist in scheduling community planning sessions when needed.
We are seeking applicants who:
- Demonstrate a commitment to fairness and actively engage in projects and practices that work with underserved groups, individuals, and communities.
- Have the capacity to host meetings, community site visits, and receive technical assistance from the Rural Placemaking Studio staff.
- Align with the program goals.
- Propose a design challenge or project that is relevant to and benefits the local community.
- Demonstrate a desire to learn and share positive experiences with IU students, faculty, and other program participants.
- Show enthusiasm for tackling community challenges.
- Commit to seeking long-term, sustainable solutions through public design.
- Seek input from the wider community before submitting their application.
Below is a general overview of the Rural Placemaking Studio’s timeline, program milestones, and deliverables.
OCTOBER–DECEMBER APPLICATIONS OPEN | Applications open October 17 and close December 18, 2025. |
FEBRUARY ACCEPTANCE | Rural Placemaking Studio staff will select community partners for the 2026 Rural Placemaking Studio cohort and announce the finalists in February. |
MARCH–APRIL ORIENTATION AND PLANNING SESSIONS | Selected community partners have the opportunity to meet with Rural Placemaking Studio staff to talk about program goals, set milestones, and schedule community planning sessions. |
MARCH–APRIL COMMUNITY PLANNING SESSIONS | Optional: Rural Placemaking Studio staff will co-facilitate a community planning session if additional community input is needed. |
MAY IU RURAL CONFERENCE | You are invited to join the IU Rural Conference on May 19-20, 2026, in French Lick. Join us for inspiring talks, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on improving quality of life for rural Hoosiers. Registration is required to attend the conference. Scholarships are available to help cover costs. |
MAY
SITE VISITS WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY | Rural Placemaking Studio staff will coordinate site visits during the week of May 18, 2026. Each community will be asked to host one visit lasting about an hour. |
JUNE-AUGUST DRAFT REVIEW AND DESIGN FINALIZATION | The Studio Program begins on June 1, 2026, and fellows will start working alongside their community partners. |
JUNE-AUGUST FOLLOW-UP MEETINGS AND VISITS | Follow-up visits will focus on community partner goals, needs, and planning sessions, scheduled as needed by Rural Placemaking Studio staff. |
JULY INITIAL CONCEPTS DELIVERED | Initial design concepts circulated to community partners via email by July 1, 2026. Each community receives two design options. Partners must collect feedback within 1 week, and choose between Option 1 or Option 2. |
JULY PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE | Fellows participate in a professional design review to refine final concepts. Community partners will receive all deliverables before the Community Design Showcase in August. |
AUGUST COMMUNITY DESIGN SHOWCASE AND OPEN HOUSE | In August, join the IU Center for Rural Engagement for a final celebration event in Bloomington to showcase the final designs. This is a public, open-house style event. Exact date, time, and location are to be determined. |
SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER PROJECT CONTINUATION SUPPORT | Meet with Rural Placemaking Studio staff for additional planning support, resourcing, and project development as you and your community work toward implementation. |
Program Leadership
- Jon Racek, Program Director & Senior Lecturer, Comprehensive Design, IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
- Nicole Vasconi, Quality of Place Liaison, Center for Rural Engagement
IU Center for Rural Engagement
The Center for Rural Engagement is reimagining the relationship between universities and rural communities.
Our center calls on the research, expertise, teaching, and service of IU Bloomington faculty, staff, and students to address the challenges Indiana communities face and to enhance opportunities in collaboration with communities. We are leading new pathways to partnerships between non-land-grant, research institutions and rural communities.
ServeDesign Center
The Indiana University ServeDesign Center works in partnership with campus and community to advance engaged scholarship and prepare students for lifelong civic and social responsibility in an increasingly diverse and complex global society.
Working with stakeholders on the local, regional, national, and international levels, with a particular focus on regional and international stakeholders, ServeDesign facilitates collaboration within the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design by offering faculty grants, service-learning training, and match-making through pairing faculty and community partners.
