Applications for Citizens' Academy now available

The City of Bloomington’s government education program, the Citizens’ Academy, is now accepting applicants for its fall session. The Citizens’ Academy is an initiative of the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND).

Participants enroll in an approximately six-week course explaining how the city runs its day-to-day affairs. They are given an in-depth tour of each major Bloomington government department, including the Mayor’s office, City Council and the Utilities Department.

Vickie Provine, who helps run the program, says that it started in 1999 and originally was intended as a way for neighborhoods to better understand the way the city works.

According to Provine, though, it’s become “so much more.”

Provine says that the program often has IU students, teachers, local students and even people running for political office among its participants.

Provine attributes the program’s popularity to the fact that the school system does not cover city and local government nearly as much as state and federal government.

She says that, in spite of being involved with the program for multiple years, she is always learning something new.

Provine strongly encourages people that are interested in applying to do so as soon as possible because the 30 spots normally fill up quickly and are usually completely full by July.

Applicants who apply too late are put on a waiting list.

For more information or to apply to the Citizens’ Academy, go to www.bloomington.in.gov/citizensacademy or call Vickie Provine at 812-349-3505.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and are limited to to 30 to ensure a high quality for all participants. There is no cost for participating in the program.

— Zach Ammerman