City of Bloomington Invites Residents to Explore How Local Government Works

The City of Bloomington invites residents to apply for the 2025 Residents Academy, held from 6 to 8 p.m. each Thursday from August 14 through October 23. The sessions, all of which are free, include interactive presentations, demonstrations and tours of City facilities. Participants can look forward to:

• Touring Switchyard Park and learning about its development from a railway hub to Bloomington’s biggest, award-winning park
• Riding in the bucket of the Bloomington Fire Department’s 100-foot aerial ladder truck for a bird's-eye view of the city
• Touring the historic Near West Side neighborhood
• Experiencing a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bloomington Animal Shelter

The City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) developed the Residents Academy in 1999 to encourage civic engagement and to educate residents about City government, including topics such as:

• The structure and functions of Bloomington City government and how it differs from the county, state and federal governments
• How city government balances budget limitations with community goals and service needs
• The structure, functions and day-to-day operations of City departments
• Opportunities for resident involvement through city boards and commissions
• The City’s innovative approaches to addressing complex challenges and goals for the future

“We are honored to continue offering this long-standing and well-regarded program to our neighbors,” said Angela Van Rooy, HAND neighborhood services program manager. “We often hear from Residents Academy participants that they learned about the program through a friend or family member, which is a true testament to the program’s success and impact.”

The application deadline is Monday, July 7. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by July 15. Preference will be given to residents who live within Bloomington’s city limits. 

The City of Bloomington strives to be an accessible community, and Residents Academy offers participants mobility accommodations. Due to the nature of class sessions, the program is fully in-person.

To apply, visit bloomington.in.gov/residentsacademy and fill out the application linked at the bottom of the page. To request a paper application, please contact Angela Van Rooy, HAND neighborhood services program manager at angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3505.