As we look ahead to 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2024—a year of growth, excitement, and transformation. It was a year of expanding our reach, deepening our connections, and, most importantly, embracing a renewed Mission and Vision. These refreshed guiding principles continue to shape our work, ensuring that we stay focused on what matters most: building a vibrant, inclusive space for learning, creativity, and community engagement.

Our Mission is simple yet powerful:

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens fosters a love of learning across generations and engages the community through the beauty of nature, the richness of art, and the heritage of East Central Indiana.

This Mission grounds everything we do at Minnetrista. It’s about offering a space where people of all ages and backgrounds can engage with the history, beauty, and culture that make our region unique. Whether through workshops, family-friendly events, or a walk through our gardens, we create opportunities for discovery and connection.

Our Vision is equally inspiring:

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens envisions a thriving community where creativity, cultural diversity, and meaningful connections come together to inspire a brighter future for all.

This Vision is what drives us each day, motivating us to create a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic. We want Minnetrista to be a place where everyone—whether local or visiting—feels inspired to connect with the people and ideas that make our community vibrant.

A Year of Signature Events and Community Connections

Looking back at 2024, we’re thrilled with how our Mission and Vision came to life through our signature events. From Garden Fair to Faeries, Sprites, & Lights, these events brought people together for learning, celebration, and meaningful engagement. However, one event truly stood out: our Eclipse Weekend.

We welcomed visitors from 23 states, turning this rare celestial event into an unforgettable learning experience. Through partnerships with Orchestra Indiana, Ball State Public Media, and the Muncie Children’s Museum, we blended art, science, and community engagement in a way that sparked curiosity across generations. It was a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens when different perspectives come together.

Similarly, Boo-levard Bash drew 4,400 visitors—nearly three times the number from 2023. And despite chilly temperatures, Enchanted Luminaria Walk remained a beautiful celebration of light, art, and community spirit. These events showcased Minnetrista’s role as a gathering place for joy, creativity, and connection all year long.

Growing Our Programs and Expanding Outreach

2024 was a year of growth for our programming. We added more events, workshops, and educational offerings, resulting in a noticeable increase in attendance. Whether through art workshops or environmental education programs, we created more opportunities for people to learn and engage with diverse topics.

New initiatives helped us connect with the community in meaningful ways. Our inaugural 5K Run/Walk, in collaboration with Muncie’s Arbor Day program, brought people together for a day outdoors while celebrating nature’s beauty. We partnered with the Hoosier Shakespeare Festival to make theater more accessible, offering a chance for all to experience the magic of live performances right here in our community. Despite the rain on the Fourth of July, we came together and turned the evening into a beautiful celebration filled with fun, laughter, and a spectacular fireworks display from the city.

Developing Exhibitions that Tell Our Story

From celebrating the Ball family legacy to highlighting beloved local institutions, our exhibitions explored personal and collective histories, sparking joy, reflection, and connection. Drawing from our collection of historical objects and photographs, we shared unique stories of East Central Indiana, offering glimpses into our past.

Ball Stores took visitors on a nostalgic journey through one of Muncie’s most cherished landmarks, with artifacts and memories celebrating the store’s role in the community. A winter holiday refresh offered even more reasons to return. Meanwhile, Deep Roots: Exploring the Ball Family Tree in the Oakhurst Experience highlighted the Ball family’s journey to Muncie and their lasting legacy.

The Bob Ross Experience featured Majestic Mountains, showcasing Bob’s iconic mountain scenes, including a rare early painting from Alaska that connected fans to his artistic evolution. Crisis Canning explored food preservation during times of crisis, complemented by Bounty: The Orphan Jar, a play that brought themes of resilience and community care to life.

These exhibitions reflect Minnetrista’s dedication to celebrating our shared heritage and sparking conversations that shape the future. As we look to 2025, we remain committed to inspiring curiosity, fostering learning, and honoring the vibrant culture of East Central Indiana.

Strengthening Relationships with Our Community

This year, we deepened Minnetrista’s connection with the community through meaningful outreach efforts. Whether attending the Muncie Juneteenth Celebration, supporting Big Idea Nights with Second Harvest Food Bank and Muncie Community Schools, or crafting with children at the Ross Center, we focused on fostering relationships and shared experiences.

Our outreach goes beyond reaching more people; it’s about ensuring everyone feels welcome at Minnetrista. Participating in events like the Muncie Black Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner and the White River Clean-Up reminded us of the power of community collaboration. At these events, we were grateful for the chance to connect, listen, and work alongside those committed to making a difference in our shared spaces.

We also continued to offer quality, free programming like Family Adventure Day and Senior Day, providing opportunities for people to connect, learn, and enjoy Minnetrista’s offerings. These experiences reflect our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Earlier this year, we invited the community to be part of Community Portrait, where they were photographed for free by Tom Styrkowicz. Each participant received a personal copy of their portrait, with a curated selection to be featured in our 2025 exhibition, celebrating the people that make our community unique.

At Minnetrista, we aim to be a place where people connect through art, nature, and each other. This year’s outreach efforts were an important step in that direction, and we look forward to continuing to build relationships and ensure everyone feels valued.

A Year of Organizational Growth

Behind the scenes, we’ve been working hard to build a strong foundation for future success. This year, we finalized a new Strategic Plan to guide us as we meet the evolving needs of our community. We made thoughtful adjustments to our organizational structure, empowering staff to take on leadership roles and contribute to decision-making. These changes position us for continued growth and impact, allowing us to better serve our community and continue offering exceptional experiences.

Continuing DEAI Efforts

We are committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI). In 2024, we partnered with OptiPlied consultants to conduct surveys and focus groups, gathering insights from community members to inform our DEAI initiatives. These efforts will guide our programming, exhibitions, and outreach, ensuring Minnetrista remains a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.

We also deepened our community engagement through partnerships with organizations like TeenWorks and participation in Juneteenth and Pride events. These connections allow us to strengthen relationships and ensure Minnetrista is welcoming to all.

In addition, we continued our commitment to the community through our involvement in local beautification projects. By supporting efforts to improve and care for our shared environments, we contribute to creating a more welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant community for everyone.

Looking to 2025: Continuing the Journey

As we look ahead to 2025, we're filled with optimism and excitement for the future. Guided by our renewed Mission and Vision, we’re eager to build on the momentum of 2024, expanding our programs, reaching new audiences, and deepening our impact on the community.

And we’re thrilled to share what’s coming next—our 2025 exhibition lineup is full of wonderful experiences waiting to be explored! Whether it’s art, history, or something in between, we’re gearing up for a year of creativity and discovery. We hope you’ll be a part of it!

This blog offers just a glimpse into the many incredible moments of 2024, and we appreciate the support and collaboration that made it all possible. A heartfelt thank you to all of you—our donors, advocates, partners, and visitors. Your dedication and passion make Minnetrista a vibrant part of our community. Together, we’re creating a brighter future, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you in 2025.

Building on Success: A Look Back at 2024 and What’s Ahead in 2025