IU East assists with grant for arts and science center in Fayette County

On Dec. 11, the Lilly Endowment Inc. announced a $5 million grant to the Indiana University Foundation for IU East for the purpose of overseeing the creation of a FayetteCounty Arts and Science Center in Connersville.

The planning group included labor representatives, educators, business leaders and community members.

“We are pleased that IU East was asked to receive the grant and provide the project director and fiscal oversight for the grant,” said IU East Chancellor David Fulton. “This is one way in which IU can bring its resources to assist communities in learning and economic development.

“We are also appreciative that the Lilly Endowment continues to assist communities throughout Indiana that strive to better the quality of life for its citizens,” the chancellor added.

Joanne Matika, vice chancellor at IU East, is the project director of the grant and is a member of the management board.

Dan Dooley, the campus’ business manager, along with the IU Research and University Graduate School office, will provide fiscal oversight.

Fayette was one of 17 counties named that will benefit from grants of up to $5 million each to participate in the CAPE (Community Alliances to Promote Education) initiative.

With this round, the Lilly Endowment has invested more than $186 million in 44 counties during this competitive initiative, which began in 1999.

The CAPE initiative has encouraged the state’s more than 90 community foundations to lead discussions and forums in their areas, engage in research, prioritize their area’s most pressing educational needs and to make plans to address those needs successfully.