Residents are Invited to Apply for 2023 Residents Academy

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for the 2023 Residents Academy, to be held on ten consecutive Thursday evenings from August 24th to October 26th, from 6-8 p.m. Sessions include presentations by City staff, as well as demonstrations and tours of City facilities. Previous participant experiences include:

• Touring Switchyard Park and learning about its development from a railway hub to Bloomington’s newest award-winning park.
• Riding in the bucket of the Bloomington Fire Department’s 100-foot aerial ladder truck for a birds eye view of the city.
• Touring the Near West Side neighborhood, Bloomington’s newest historic district.
• Experiencing a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

The City of Bloomington strives to be an accessible community and Residents Academy offers participants accessibility accommodations.

The City developed the Residents Academy in 1999 to encourage civic engagement and to educate residents about City government. Participants will learn about the challenges faced by City government as it balances budget limitations with community goals and service needs. Sessions will also cover topics such as day-to-day operations, the structure and function of City departments, the role of City Council, resident involvement in boards and commissions, innovative approaches to problem solving, and goals for the future. The 2023 Residents Academy promises to be a fun and engaging learning experience.

If you are a Bloomington resident, 18 years or older, and interested in participating, please submit an application for consideration by Monday, July 10, 2023. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by Monday, July 31, 2023. Preference will be given to residents who live within the Bloomington city limits. 

You may apply online at bloomington.in.gov/residentsacademy. To request a paper application, please contact Angela Van Rooy, HAND Neighborhood Services Program Manager at angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3505.