IU Center for Rural Engagement

09/18/2026

On Oct. 3, head to the Salem Boxcar Trailhead for the first public performance of ROK: Reimagining Opera for Kids' 2026-27 season! They'll take the stage at 1 p.m. with this season’s production, Ana y su sombra.

Can’t make it to Salem? ROK will perform again at 7 p.m. at Lotus World Music & Arts Festival in Bloomington.

Get more details on upcoming ROK performances: go.iu.edu/i3ya9F

09/18/2026

09/17/2026

From rural schools to local libraries and community parks, ROK: Reimagining Opera for Kids is breaking barriers to live theater one performance at a time across southern Indiana.

Entering its 19th season, the Bloomington-based nonprofit continues to reimagine what opera can be through interactive performances that invite children to sing, move, laugh, and participate.

Read more: https://news.iu.edu/rural/live/news/52828-reimagining-opera-for-kids-invites-young-audiences

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Reimagining Opera for Kids breaks the fourth wall to bring interactive, barrier-free live theater directly to local K-12 schools and community spaces.

09/16/2026

Applying to the 2027 Rural Placemaking Studio and have questions? Sign up for virtual office hours on Oct. 15 and Nov. 12 to meet with program staff, ask questions, share ideas, and request feedback on your application.

Find an event and reserve an appointment: go.iu.edu/NCQt1e

Applications for the 2027 Rural Placemaking Studio open on October 9 and are due November 20.

IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

09/16/2026

For Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington graduate student Caley Monnier, public health learning doesn't stop in the classroom.

Through the IU Center for Rural Engagement's Rural Scholars Program, she's gaining hands-on experience with preventive health services in rural Indiana and seeing firsthand the impact of community-based care.

Read more: https://go.iu.edu/1NZMwp

With the Center for Rural Engagement (CRE) Rural Scholars Program, graduate student Caley Monnier has been able to gain vital first-hand experience with preventative health services in rural Indiana to boost her career goals of attaining a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.

09/14/2026

Interested in partnering with IU’s 2027 Rural Placemaking Studio to reimagine and strengthen public spaces in your community?

Join us for a series of virtual events to learn more about the studio and get your application ready, starting with an info session on Friday, October 9.

Explore events and register: go.iu.edu/NCQt1e.

IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

09/08/2026

Join the Rural Futures Webinar Series at noon on Sept. 15 for Rural Roots, Academic Boots: Rural Philanthropy, Practice, and Collaboration.

Ann Ruble and Leeann Wright will discuss how rural communities can strengthen local philanthropy, foster collaboration, and apply research-informed strategies to create lasting community impact. The webinar includes a rural community foundation case study and live Q&A.

Learn more and register: go.iu.edu/CB84Up

Hosted in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Community Foundation of Pulaski County

09/04/2026

Are you an IU student with a passion for storytelling? The IU Center for Rural Engagement is hiring a paid part-time editorial intern to write project features and student spotlights that highlight IU's partnerships with rural Indiana communities.

Build your portfolio through interviews, research, and meaningful storytelling while gaining hands-on experience in content creation.

Learn more and apply: go.iu.edu/xwW2xi

The Media School at Indiana University The Walter Center for Career Achievement

09/03/2026

Brown County and IU kicked off a new year of collaboration through their Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership.

Community leaders joined IU faculty, staff, and students to connect, celebrate the partnership, and learn more about community-identified projects that will take shape across Brown County in the year ahead.

Learn more about the partnership at go.iu.edu/umf8Ek.

09/03/2026

A partnership between Radius Indiana and the IU Center for Rural Engagement brought IU students, faculty, and staff together across disciplines to explore how the developing Monon South Trail can support community and economic opportunities throughout southern Indiana.

Read the story: https://news.iu.edu/rural/live/news/52699-iu-collaboration-brings-fresh-perspectives-to

Indiana University Kelley School of Business O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands

A partnership between Radius Indiana and the IU Center for Rural Engagement brought students, faculty, and staff together across disciplines to explore ho...