Register Today for the 2025 Conference on Civic Studies and Democracy
- Theme: Character, Creativity, and Community
- Dates: September 25–27, 2025
- Location: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
- Cost: FREE
Join a national community of scholars, educators, artists, and civic leaders to explore how character, creativity, and community engagement can revitalize democracy.
Hosted by Ball State University’s Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) in collaboration with the School of Art, the 2025 Conference on Civic Studies and Democracy will offer three days of interactive programming, keynote lectures, hands-on workshops, and critical conversations about the future of civic life.
Proposal submissions have now closed. Registration is open and filling quickly.
Why Attend
- Learn from nationally recognized scholars and practitioners in civic education, arts advocacy, and democratic renewal
- Participate in hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions
- Gain practical strategies for integrating civic and character education into your teaching, leadership, or organization
- Network with leaders in education, the arts, and nonprofit sectors
- Explore new intersections of public policy, aesthetics, and civic identity
Keynote Speaker
- Michael Greer, President & CEO of ArtsFund
- The Fred Meyer Lecture in Cultural Policy and Arts Advocacy
- Topic: Arts and Culture as Community Cohesion
- Thursday, September 25, 2025
Conference Highlights
- Concurrent sessions and workshops on civic education, creative leadership, and democratic participation
- Case studies in arts-based civic renewal and digital platforms for engagement
- Opportunities for cross-sector dialogue among educators, artists, activists, and students
Schedule Overview
Thursday, September 25 | 5:00 – 7:30 PM
Opening Reception and Keynote Lecture
Friday, September 26 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Workshops and Concurrent Sessions | Ball State Student Center
Saturday, September 27 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Final Panels and Community Engagement Sessions
Faculty Engagement: We encourage faculty at Ball State and beyond to incorporate this conference into fall 2025 course planning. Nationally recognized speakers will be accessible to students, and the event offers rich opportunities for applied learning, civic reflection, and interdisciplinary engagement.
Benefits for students include:
- Exposure to leading civic practitioners and scholars
- Opportunities to network with nonprofit organizations, educators, and cultural leaders
- Participation in workshops and panels aligned with themes in education, public service, the arts, and democracy
- This is an ideal opportunity for extra credit assignments, reflection papers, or course-aligned attendance in fields such as education, political science, sociology, communication studies, art, and public administration.
Reserve your spot today. Space is limited.
Click Here to Register
For more details, visit the Conference Website or contact the Center for Economic and Civic Learning at cecl@bsu.edu.