City of Bloomington, IN

09/05/2026

Downtown Bloomington, Inc. (DBI), in partnership with the City of Bloomington, invites individual artists and artist teams to respond to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design and paint a traffic box in downtown Bloomington. As an RFQ, applicants are asked to submit examples of their past work and relevant experience—not a full design concept—so a jury can select the right artist for the project before design work begins. The budget for this project includes a $750 artist honorarium and up to $500 in materials and supplies, paid for by Downtown Bloomington, Inc. The deadline to apply is September 13th, 2026.

Project Summary
If selected, the artist will develop a traffic box design that will visually represent Bloomington’s native flowers, nature, or wildlife. Designs should be vibrant, colorful, and may be representational or abstract. Artworks must adhere to the City’s Art in the Right of Way policy.

Timeline
Application Opens: August 31st, 2026
Application Deadline: September 13th, 2026
Artist Selected: Week of September 20, 2026
Final Design Due: Monday, October 5th
Painting Installation: October 20th- November 16th

How to Apply
The application portal opens on August 31st, 2026. Submissions must be received by 11:59 P.M. EST on September 13th, 2026. Apply by visiting bloomington.in.gov/arts/public-art

09/05/2026

Bloomington, we need your stories! Know a person, place, or moment that shaped our community? Nominate them for a chance to be featured on a city historical sign.

Up to three new signs will be added each year, and your nomination could be one of them! Applications are open until September 30. Apply online at bloomington.in.gov/historicalsign and help us keep Bloomington’s history alive!

09/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming Crystal Ritter as Bloomington’s new Safe & Civil City Program Director!

Crystal brings nearly 20 years of experience building strong communities and creating opportunities for connection, learning, and engagement. She’s already making a positive impact, most recently leading the Million Father March to support our youth on their first day back to school.

We’re thrilled to have Crystal on board as she works to create a safer, more welcoming Bloomington for everyone. Learn more about our programs and how to get involved: bloomington.in.gov/departments/cfrd

09/04/2026

Bloomington, we need your help! The American Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage—and by donating just once, you could save up to three lives.

Indiana University students are participating in the Big Ten Conference “We Give Blood” drive, a campaign involving all universities in the Big Ten Conference to help fight blood shortages nationwide.

Every donation brings hope, healing, and strength to those who need it most. Plus, the university that records the most blood donations will receive a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student/community health.

Let’s show the power of our community. Sign up to donate blood today and make a difference! Learn more online: www.bigten.org/abbott

09/03/2026

Fuel your appetite tomorrow at Food Truck Friday! Enjoy tasty bites from Bloomington’s favorite food trucks, live music, and good vibes at Switchyard Park every week through October. Bring friends, grab a spot on the lawn, and make unforgettable memories. No admission fee—just come hungry and ready for a good time!

09/03/2026

The trees are working hard. So is the team caring for them. This year, the City’s urban forestry team has planted more than 200 trees, pruned hundreds more, removed hazardous and invasive trees, and inspected thousands across public property.

They’ve also secured nearly $95,000 in grant funding to help protect and expand Bloomington’s urban forest. That work includes proactive pruning for storm resilience, continued removal of invasive Callery pear trees, and careful assessment of public ash trees affected by emerald ash borer. Every planting and removal is guided by safety, long-term forest health, and the simple idea of putting the right tree in the right place.

Our gratitude to our urban forestry crew and their dedication to keeping Bloomington safe, healthy, and resilient!

09/02/2026

Interested in developing in Bloomington? Join the Incremental Development Alliance for the Bloomington Small Scale Developer Bootcamp—a five-week virtual program starting on October 7!

Learn directly from industry experts, get personalized feedback, and build the skills you need to move your project forward. Sessions are on Wednesdays from 4–7 p.m. on Zoom.

Early bird registration is open until September 13, and limited scholarships are available through September 7. Hosted by the City of Bloomington. Learn more and register online: bton.in/IncDev10

Incremental Development Alliance

09/02/2026

Thank you so much for this recognition, Indiana Department of Environmental Management! This is a huge testament to the hard work and passion our staff puts into making Bloomington a healthy and vibrant community, and we appreciate the support.

congratulates the City of Bloomington, IN for their Silver Tier advancement in the Clean Community Program!

Bloomington has completed several key projects, including achieving Tree City USA certification, becoming a StormReady Community, improving stormwater management through local ordinances, implementing green infrastructure, and hosting Community Tox‑Away Days.

Thank you, Bloomington, for helping build a cleaner, healthier Indiana. 💚

09/02/2026

Join the Bloomington City Council and the Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM) for a public discussion on community perspectives on public safety. It takes place from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on September 9th at Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., and will gather resident experiences and views on safety. All community members are welcome to participate—no special background required.

09/02/2026

Discover your next passion project at the Bloomington Volunteer Fair! Join us on Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall & Fernandez Plaza (401 N. Morton St). Meet local organizations, explore volunteer opportunities, and connect with your community—all while enjoying the Saturday Farmers’ Market. Free and open to all!