Join Us for the Grand Opening of Ball State’s New Downtown Space
Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 5–8 p.m.
During First Thursday ArtsWalk
306 S. Walnut Street, Muncie
MORE INFORMATION
Ball State University’s Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) is proud to expand its presence into downtown Muncie with a vibrant new space on the first floor of the historic Columbia Theater Building at 306 S. Walnut Street. Launching this Fall, this nearly 5,000-square-foot hub is designed for immersive student learning, community collaboration, and innovative design work—bringing campus energy directly into the city’s heart.
A Hub for Learning, Design, and Community Engagement
This space is much more than a classroom relocated downtown. It serves as a lively studio and community venue where students, faculty, and local residents can collaborate side-by-side. ECAP studio courses will launch this fall with landscape architecture and urban planning students on site. Future student groups from Architecture and Interior Design will follow. This location meets a key goal of ECAP - providing students hands-on experience within the very environment they aim to shape and improve.
The space features:
- ECAP classes focused on design and planning
- Public exhibitions and project showcases highlighting student and faculty work from Ball State’s College of Fine Arts and College of Architecture and Planning
- Community events focused on city planning, design, historic preservation, and more
- The Urban Planning Discovery Center, a walk-in service that provides a searchable database of local and regional design projects
- ECAP’s Center for Historic Preservation, providing information to the community on historic buildings and landscapes
Honoring History, Designing the Future
Built in 1913, the Columbia Theater Building has long been a cornerstone of Muncie’s cultural and economic life. From a celebrated movie house to a community gathering spot, its walls carry rich stories. Revitalizing this landmark as a creative and collaborative space honors that legacy while launching new opportunities for innovation and regional revitalization.
A Partnership Driving Downtown Growth
This project reflects Ball State’s ongoing commitment to Muncie and its residents. By embedding immersive learning experiences into downtown, ECAP is helping energize the city’s next chapter of growth, creativity, and community connection.