545 past events with the museums tag

Image: Lamar Richcreek (American, 1947–2018), Untitled from the Series Ideal Farm, 2004, chromogenic color print, gift of Jean Richcreek, 2024.006.011.

September 18 – December 19, 2025

Ball State alumnus Lamar Richcreek (1947–2018) earned a degree in business administration in 1969. After a 24-year career in banking, he launched a second career in photography. In his 50s, he returned to school, earned an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and taught for 20 years as an adjunct professor of photography at the Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis. His success as a fine art photographer resulted in a solo exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2002.

Like the pastoral genre in literature, art, and music, Lamar Richcreek’s photographs often present nostalgic visual stories of Indiana’s agricultural landscape inflected by his business perspective. He once wrote in an artist’s statement, “My views of the landscape, agriculture and the family farm are romanticized ones, originating from childhood experiences and visits to my grandfather’s farm in Central Indiana. In the aftermath of World War II and during the Cold War years, the Midwest saw the creation of global markets for farm products and the development of technological advances that were invented to increase production for improved and insured profitability, all of which transformed American farming. These transformations favored agri-businesses and multi-national corporations, thereby altering the viability of the traditional family farm. This change occurred over time without my realizing its impact.”

Lamar Richcreek’s photography testifies to the effects of the post-war economic-agricultural boom in the Midwest through his images with surreal settings, witty juxtapositions, and sublime scenery. A recent donation of art from his wife, Jean Richcreek (1948–2025), to the David Owsley Museum of Art allows subsequent generations to view the corporatization of farming in Indiana through Lamar Richcreek’s creative lens. We are also grateful to Ball State alumnus Thomas Murphy (‘69) for his recent philanthropic investment in DOMA in memory of Lamar and Jean Richcreek.  

Image: Pierre Daura (American, born Spain, 1896–1976), designs for Cercle et Carré logo, 1929. Pen and ink on paper, 9 3/4 × 6 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Martha Randolph Daura. 2011.125.

September 18 – December 19, 2025

Hours: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Tuesday–Friday)
           1:30–4:30 p.m. (Saturday)

In Paris in 1929, Belgian painter and critic Michel Seuphor (1901–1999), Uruguayan painter and theorist Joaquín Torres-García (1874–1949), and Catalan-American artist Pierre Daura (1896–1976) founded an influential but short-lived artistic group named Circle and Square, after the geometric shapes fundamental to abstract art.  The group attracted more than eighty international artists including Jean Arp (1886–1966), Le Corbusier (1887–1965), Alexandra Exter (1882–1949), Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944), Nadia Khodasevich Léger (1904–1987), Fernand Léger (1881–1955), and Sophie Täuber-Arp (1889–1943), among other famous and lesser-known personalities in the Parisian art world. Cercle et Carré and the International Spirit of Abstract Art showcases more than sixty works by thirty of Cercle et Carré’s participants, as well as outlines the formation of the group and its artistic legacy.

The exhibition was organized by the Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia, with the addition of works from the collection of the David Owsley Museum of Art. Generous support for the exhibition was provided by the Daura Foundation.

Image: Lamar Richcreek (American, 1947–2018), Untitled from the Series Ideal Farm, 2004, chromogenic color print, gift of Jean Richcreek, 2024.006.011.

September 18 – December 19, 2025

Ball State alumnus Lamar Richcreek (1947–2018) earned a degree in business administration in 1969. After a 24-year career in banking, he launched a second career in photography. In his 50s, he returned to school, earned an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and taught for 20 years as an adjunct professor of photography at the Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis. His success as a fine art photographer resulted in a solo exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2002.

Like the pastoral genre in literature, art, and music, Lamar Richcreek’s photographs often present nostalgic visual stories of Indiana’s agricultural landscape inflected by his business perspective. He once wrote in an artist’s statement, “My views of the landscape, agriculture and the family farm are romanticized ones, originating from childhood experiences and visits to my grandfather’s farm in Central Indiana. In the aftermath of World War II and during the Cold War years, the Midwest saw the creation of global markets for farm products and the development of technological advances that were invented to increase production for improved and insured profitability, all of which transformed American farming. These transformations favored agri-businesses and multi-national corporations, thereby altering the viability of the traditional family farm. This change occurred over time without my realizing its impact.”

Lamar Richcreek’s photography testifies to the effects of the post-war economic-agricultural boom in the Midwest through his images with surreal settings, witty juxtapositions, and sublime scenery. A recent donation of art from his wife, Jean Richcreek (1948–2025), to the David Owsley Museum of Art allows subsequent generations to view the corporatization of farming in Indiana through Lamar Richcreek’s creative lens. We are also grateful to Ball State alumnus Thomas Murphy (‘69) for his recent philanthropic investment in DOMA in memory of Lamar and Jean Richcreek.  

Image: Pierre Daura (American, born Spain, 1896–1976), designs for Cercle et Carré logo, 1929. Pen and ink on paper, 9 3/4 × 6 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Martha Randolph Daura. 2011.125.

September 18 – December 19, 2025

Hours: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Tuesday–Friday)
           1:30–4:30 p.m. (Saturday)

In Paris in 1929, Belgian painter and critic Michel Seuphor (1901–1999), Uruguayan painter and theorist Joaquín Torres-García (1874–1949), and Catalan-American artist Pierre Daura (1896–1976) founded an influential but short-lived artistic group named Circle and Square, after the geometric shapes fundamental to abstract art.  The group attracted more than eighty international artists including Jean Arp (1886–1966), Le Corbusier (1887–1965), Alexandra Exter (1882–1949), Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944), Nadia Khodasevich Léger (1904–1987), Fernand Léger (1881–1955), and Sophie Täuber-Arp (1889–1943), among other famous and lesser-known personalities in the Parisian art world. Cercle et Carré and the International Spirit of Abstract Art showcases more than sixty works by thirty of Cercle et Carré’s participants, as well as outlines the formation of the group and its artistic legacy.

The exhibition was organized by the Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia, with the addition of works from the collection of the David Owsley Museum of Art. Generous support for the exhibition was provided by the Daura Foundation.

NYE Bash

Get ready to ring in the New Year with your little ones!

Join us on Wednesday, December 31st, at the Muncie Children’s Museum for an exciting afternoon of family fun during our annual New Year’s Eve Bash. Festivities kick off at 1:00 pm and conclude with a festive balloon drop at 4:30 pm. Don't miss out on this magical New Year's celebration designed with families in mind!

All activities are included with admission and free for MCM Members!

Start your year off right!
Join us for a FREE Health Fair at the Muncie Children’s Museum on Saturday, January 24, from 10 am to 3 pm.

Bring the whole family for a day of hands-on museum fun, plus free health screenings, community resources, and interactive activities and games provided by Ball State University COH Interprofessional Community Clinic and ECI-AHEC.

Admission to the museum is FREE from 10 am to 5 pm. Stop by for a fun-filled day for the entire family

Reptiles Around the World

Join us on Saturday, January 31, from 10 am to 12 pm for an exciting, educational program by Scalez & Tailz at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Guests will meet two reptiles from each continent (excluding Antarctica), learn fun facts about each animal, and participate in an interactive guessing game with prizes. There will also be opportunities for hands-on interactions with reptiles.

This program is FREE with museum admission and FREE for MCM Members

Stuffie Clinic

It’s time for a check-up—but this time, YOU get to be the doctor!
Join us on Saturday, February 21, from 1–4 pm for a Stuffie Clinic, where children have the opportunity to step into the role of medical professionals and care for their stuffed animal patient.

Participating children will receive a free stuffed animal (while supplies last), generously donated by PetSmart- Anderson and Muncie, and guide their stuffed animal through a playful “check-up.” Children will learn about common medical equipment and what each tool is used for in a fun, hands-on way. This interactive experience helps build confidence, reduce fears about doctor visits, and spark curiosity about health and wellness.

Stuffie Clinic is organized and led by Ball State University Child Life students and is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Muncie. We appreciate their partnership in providing this free community event.

Museum admission is free for all guests from 10 am–5 pm.

Free Admission & Easter Bunny Photos

Hop into the Muncie Children’s Museum on Saturday, March 7, for a special day of family fun, including photos with the Easter Bunny from 10 am–3 pm.

Thanks to our generous sponsor, JarKids, museum admission is FREE all day (10 am–5 pm)! That means more time to explore exhibits, play together, and make lasting memories.

Bring the whole family and celebrate the season with a fun, festive day at MCM!

Enjoy tea and light refreshments as Diego Fajardo, Collections Manager at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel, Indiana, shares the fascinating evolution of miniatures in the United States over the past century. From early collectors to contemporary artists, he’ll explore how these tiny works reflect shifting cultural values and artistic practices. Diego will also discuss the unique challenges of caring for and exhibiting miniatures within a museum setting.

Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Join us for STEAM Break, where kids will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities and playful learning. Be sure to view the graphic above for a full schedule of activities and the times they are offered each day. All activities are INCLUDED with museum admission and membership.

Robotics Program at MCM

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum!

Join us for an exciting hands-on Robotics Program led by Kids Explore Robotics! Participants will develop engineering and problem-solving skills while building two working robots — and possibly a third (if time allows).

This program is perfect for children in grades 1–3, and a parent or guardian must accompany their child for the entire session to ensure safety and support.

Dates & Times: March 25–28: 12 PM – 3 PM | March 29: 1 PM – 4 PM
Cost: Included with museum admission and free for MCM members
Registration: Advanced registration is required; spots are limited.
Click HERE to register!

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Join us for STEAM Break, where kids will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities and playful learning. Be sure to view the graphic above for a full schedule of activities and the times they are offered each day. All activities are INCLUDED with museum admission and membership.

Robotics Program at MCM

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum!

Join us for an exciting hands-on Robotics Program led by Kids Explore Robotics! Participants will develop engineering and problem-solving skills while building two working robots — and possibly a third (if time allows).

This program is perfect for children in grades 1–3, and a parent or guardian must accompany their child for the entire session to ensure safety and support.

Dates & Times: March 25–28: 12 PM – 3 PM | March 29: 1 PM – 4 PM
Cost: Included with museum admission and free for MCM members
Registration: Advanced registration is required; spots are limited.
Click HERE to register!

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Join us for STEAM Break, where kids will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities and playful learning. Be sure to view the graphic above for a full schedule of activities and the times they are offered each day. All activities are INCLUDED with museum admission and membership.

Robotics Program at MCM

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum!

Join us for an exciting hands-on Robotics Program led by Kids Explore Robotics! Participants will develop engineering and problem-solving skills while building two working robots — and possibly a third (if time allows).

This program is perfect for children in grades 1–3, and a parent or guardian must accompany their child for the entire session to ensure safety and support.

Dates & Times: March 25–28: 12 PM – 3 PM | March 29: 1 PM – 4 PM
Cost: Included with museum admission and free for MCM members
Registration: Advanced registration is required; spots are limited.
Click HERE to register!

It's time for the Glass Alliance's Annual Egg Sale!

Head to the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens Education Center in Oakhurst Gardens for the Annual Spring Glass Egg Sale, where you can purchase beautifully hand-crafted glass eggs and other themed pieces made by Ball State University students from the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass. Each unique piece makes a perfect keepsake or gift.

The Glass Alliance Egg Sale & Hunt is presented in partnership with Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. 

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Join us for STEAM Break, where kids will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities and playful learning. Be sure to view the graphic above for a full schedule of activities and the times they are offered each day. All activities are INCLUDED with museum admission and membership.

Robotics Program at MCM

Spring Break is getting a STEAM-powered upgrade at the Muncie Children’s Museum!

Join us for an exciting hands-on Robotics Program led by Kids Explore Robotics! Participants will develop engineering and problem-solving skills while building two working robots — and possibly a third (if time allows).

This program is perfect for children in grades 1–3, and a parent or guardian must accompany their child for the entire session to ensure safety and support.

Dates & Times: March 25–28: 12 PM – 3 PM | March 29: 1 PM – 4 PM
Cost: Included with museum admission and free for MCM members
Registration: Advanced registration is required; spots are limited.
Click HERE to register!

The Extraordinary World of Zara: Spotting Stars

Join students from Ball State University at the Muncie Children’s Museum for an interactive read-aloud of The Extraordinary World of Zara: Spotting Stars—a new children’s book created in partnership with Ball State students.

Follow Zara’s journey of self-discovery in this heartwarming story that blends social-emotional learning with talent recognition. After the reading, children will participate in hands-on activities designed and facilitated by the students to help them discover their own unique strengths!

Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 10–11 AM (Pre-K–K) | 11 AM–12 PM (Grades 1–2)
Cost: Included with museum admission | FREE for members
Register here: https://bsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8f6zDHTUF4bb8Gy