Interview Questions

1. Greetings
Hello, Thank you for taking the time out to participate in this interview. The purpose of
this interview is to learn about the creative people in the Muncie Community. Creativity/
Artists doesnt always have to be the typical musician, painter, or psalmist--it can also
be the arts enthusiasts, supporters and administrators.
What is the purpose/main goals of the Whitely Community Council?
The purpose of the Whitely Community Council (Board) is to pull together the resources and
strategies to insure that the Goals established by the Whitely residents are achieved. We
partnered with BSU and developed strategic plan for our Neighborhood which identifies 7 Goals
that we are committed to. Each Goal has 2 Co-Chairs and a Team who meet monthly to focus
on that particular Goal. The seven Goals are;
1. Beautification and Infrastructure
Involvement of neighborhood clean and beautification initiatives
Supporting the neighborhood tool shed and community gardens
Determine which streets, sidewalks, blight and infrastructure need addressed
2. Community Safety and Security
Organizing community crime watch program
Survey residence of their needs for safety
Improving relationship between Law Enforcement and Community
3. Education and Health
Connecting the activities of educational providers in the neighborhood
Supporting young readers
Encouraging healthy lifestyles
Addressing Food Insecurities
4. Employment and Business
Helping people network to find jobs
Developing entrepreneurship amongst residents
Implementation of Time-Banking System
Promoting and supporting local businesses
5. Neighborhood Pride and panning
Planning Events - including the monthly meetings.
Improve Reputation
Increase Home Ownership

6. Resource Development and Fundraising

Research ways to bring funds to our neighborhood
Support the grant writer
Develop fundraising activities
7. Marketing and Public Relations

Develop Newsletter and

Update Website and Social Media

Manage press releases and public awareness

How did the idea of the Make-Over Week come about? Was there more than the Union
Chapel influence? What other ideas have been brought up in meetings?
The Makeover came as a result of Union Chapels Serve Week. Union Chapel has come to
Whitely for the past several years helping us with various projects. Last year we decided that
we want to take ownership of improving our neighborhood and decided that in conjunction with
Union Chapel we would address needs over the entire neighborhood. Our goal is to have
people do thin with us not for us.

How does a typical meeting go and what does it look like? (setting, people, time,
content).
Our neighborhood meetings are the second Monday of every month from 6:00PM-7:00PM. We
will usually serve dinner between 5:15PM and 6:00PM because we know many people may not
have had a chance to eat prior to the meeting. We always have prayer, the pledge of allegiance
and recognition of elected officials, Pastors and Board members. We then have a special
recognition for a Volunteer of he month. We try to have presentation to the community for
various agencies addressing one of our particular goals distribute our newsletter (which can be
found on our website) as well as give Goal committee up dates. At the end we have minute
messages where people have 60 seconds to share an upcoming event or inform us of services
being offered. Our attendance is on average 65-70 people although our last meeting had
approximately 100. The attendees are from all parts of the community, BSU Students and
faculty, Muncie Police Department, I.U. Health, City council, Edible Munice as well as residents
of Whitely. (Meeting 6/13/16 Muncie Area Career Center brainstorming ideas to help support our youth)

When did you first discover that you had creative interests?
http://www.creativityatwork.com/2014/02/17/what-is-creativity/ (REFERENCE for
DEFINITION TO CREATIVITY)
I think it is something that we all have. I believe creativity is something we are born with. But
what makes the difference is having an environment where this creativity can be expressed and
appreciated. This is something Whitely is striving to do, open opportunities for people to
express their creativity in one of the seven Goals that they are most passionate about. We then
find ourselves addressing issues rather than arguing them.

 Can you describe your community?

The Whitely community has been described by many from the outside as, a low income,
poverty stricken, unsafe, crime ridden, predominately African American neighborhood, but I
dont see it that way at all. Certainly most of the residents in the community have financial
challenges but I think poverty is a mindset. We do a lot with a little. When BSU Students Within
the Context of Community came to Whitely. These students were mentored by Whitely
residents for that semester. At the end of the semester they were asked to use one word to
describe Whitely. The words they came up with in the order most expressed were Welcoming,
Passionate Resilient, Inspiring, Supportive Authentic, Faithful, Honest, Encouraging,
Empowering, Determined, United, Historic, Optimistic, Transformative, Generous, Unbreakable,
Courageous I would describe it as A community that you have to experience to appreciate.
(Presented to Whitely Community Council by BSU Student Within the Context of Community)

What artist (and non-artist) roles do you have in your community. [Note: the person may
have a vocation other than art-making.]
We have all kinds of artist in our community from illustrative to musical. We have conceptual
and practical residents. It is the galvanizing of the different inds of talents and gifts we have in
the community to accomplish common goals that will cause these goals to become reality.

What role do you believe you have in your community?

I think I am one who is to help make the vision of Whitely visible. Whether I do this by
using PowerPoint presentations at our meetings or engaging the community in forums
and focus groups to help them not only hear about but engage in the issues we are

addressing or possibly encouraging them to experience and try new ideas such as timebanking and a year of color to help build relationships and galvanize our community.
Its not my role to accomplish the vision but help others see it. I always say its not the
President but the Residents that will cause vision to become reality.
How do you believe your community values art-making?
I think with the year of color, painting and designing crosswalks in the community,
looking for places to paint neighborhood murals, restoring historic landmarks such as
Shaffer Chapel, the community places a high values on art making.

How do you believe your art-making/calling contributes to the well-being of your

community?
Again I think it is my gift to bring visibility to vision and clarity to concepts. If I can help
people see what we want to accomplish, then I think that together we have a better
chance to accomplish it. People may offer to help accomplish what you see, but they
will become committed when they can see and appreciate it.