IU Center for Rural Engagement

Montgomery’s Main Street Park grew from student design concepts and community input into a lasting downtown gathering place.

Through three semesters of collaboration, residents, local leaders, and IU faculty and students developed a shared vision shaped by Montgomery’s priorities and sense of place.

Read the story: go.iu.edu/uteR3A

Town of Montgomery,IN IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University

From a library parklet in Vincennes to an interpretive trailhead in Clarksville, rural Indiana communities are shaping new public spaces in partnership with IU’s Rural Placemaking Studio.

Read more: https://fpinews.org/rural/2026/07/29/rural-placemaking-studio-projects/

IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

From parking lots to parks: How rural Indiana is reshaping community spaces The Rural Placemaking Studio is helping small towns pursue projects.

You’re invited to the Rural Placemaking Studio Public Design Open House on Tuesday, August 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at IU’s Maxwell Hall.

This summer, IU design students are collaborating with rural Indiana community partners to design murals, gathering spaces, signage, historical displays, gardens, and other community-driven placemaking projects.

Register to attend and explore their final work at go.iu.edu/h8Pz5e.

IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

Rural Placemaking Studio Public Design Open House Join us for a showcase to celebrate projects focused on creative placemaking and community-driven design, including murals, public gathering spaces...

The Town of Montgomery,IN is advancing safer walking routes and long-term transportation planning with nearly $270,000 in grant funding, secured with grant development assistance from the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub at the Environmental Resilience Institute at Indiana University.

Read more:

SS4A, AARP grants fund pedestrian safety projects in Montgomery A collaboration between the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub and Town of Montgomery led to successful grants to fund pedestrian safety projects.

Indiana University’s Rural Placemaking Studio will expand its capacity to serve communities across Indiana through a $158,413 READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grant.

The funding will support the purchase of an industrial printer and project materials, as well as additional faculty support for student fabrication.

Read more about the grant and its impact at go.iu.edu/6JPqe7.

IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

Rural Placemaking Studio receives READI 2.0 grant to expand public design work in rural Indiana The $158,413 READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grant will support the purchase of an industrial printer and project materials, as well as additional faculty su...

Join us in Nashville, Ind., on Aug. 27 to kick off our Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership with Brown County.

Explore the community-identified projects taking shape through the partnership, connect with local leaders, and meet the IU faculty, staff, and students joining Brown County in this collaborative work.

The event is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Seasons Event Center. RSVP at go.iu.edu/wSYC5r.

Rural Indiana teacher Ellenor Llona is using hands-on learning and resources from the Indiana University School of Education’s Educating for Environmental Change Summer Science Institute to strengthen climate science education for her students.

Read more: https://eri.iu.edu/news-and-events/_news/archive/2026/20260713-born-educator-empowers-rural-students-through-climate-science-lessons.html

Pioneer Jr.-Sr. High School

‘Born educator’ empowers students through climate science lessons This summer, Ellenor Llona’s dedication to her craft led her to attend the Educating for Environmental Change Summer Science Institute.

AI is changing how social work students learn and prepare for practice.

David A. Wilkerson of the Indiana University School of Social Work discusses how students are applying AI and digital training through the “Because You Matter” practicum, using telepractice to expand behavioral access in rural communities.

AI in action: David Wilkerson, School of Social Work Wilkerson, an associate professor at the IU School of Social Work and director of the Office of e-Social Work Education and Practice, participated in the ...