Residents are invited to apply for the 2022 Residents Academy

BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for the 2022 Residents Academy, to be held on ten consecutive Thursday evenings from August 25th to October 27th, from 6-8 p.m. Sessions include presentations by City staff, as well as demonstrations and tours of City facilities. Previous participant experiences include:

  • Riding in the bucket of the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) 100-foot aerial ladder truck
  • Touring Switchyard Park and learning about its development
  • Meeting Bloomington Police Department’s canine Officer Ike
  • Walking tour of Bloomington’s Near West Side historic neighborhood

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 2022 Residents Academy promises to be a fun and engaging learning experience.

If you are a Bloomington resident 18 years or older interested in participating, please submit an application for consideration by Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by Monday, August 1, 2022. 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 call 812-349-3505.