Date: September 22nd

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: Conner Prairie – 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN

Reception: (6:00-6:30 p.m.) Featuring a cash bar, hor d’oeuvres and live music

Program: (6:30-8:0o p.m.) Enjoy inspiring pitches by our array of Creatives, along with presentations about the impact of the Creative Economy in Central Indiana

Noblesville Creates Awards: (8:0o-8:30 p.m.) Celebrate with us as we recognize influential leaders in the Creative Economy, then meet the winners of our Pitch Contest

Celebration and Networking: (8:30 – 9:00 p.m.) Meet the Creatives featured during the evening, enjoy events

Fundraising Activities and Raffles: This is a fundraising event, meant to support the mission and work of Noblesville Creates. We’re planning fun games, raffles, and other opportunities for you to win prizes while helping us cultivate arts resources in our community! Stay tuned for more details!

Indiana Gaming License #015150

We Need You!

We need a wide array of collaborators for this event, from sponsors to artists, donors to economic development leaders!

Sponsors: We’re looking for companies and individuals interested in helping us make this an exceptional and unforgettable Economic Development event in Central Indiana.
      Title Sponsor: $10,000 (one available)
      Premiere Sponsors: $5,000 (three available)
      Entrepreneur Sponsors: $2,500 (five available)
      Presentation Sponsors: $1,000 (eight available)
      Award Sponsors: $500 (fifteen available)
      Ticket Sponsors: $100 (help others attend this event who can’t otherwise afford it!)
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Aili at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org 

Artists & Creatives: We’re looking for Creatives of all backgrounds and experience levels to compete in this pitch competition. Our goal is to release the application for Pitches by the end of June, 2026. If you want to be sure to get on the list, please contact J.C. at jseig@noblesvillecreates.org.

Judges and Workshop Facilitators: We’re looking for thought leaders in the Development and Creative sector to help us manage this year’s event.
Judges will be asked to:

• Review material about the Pitch Night Presenters in advance
• Attend a dress rehearsal of the event, as well as the event itself
• Interact with Pitch Night contestants, audience members, and event staff
• Pose questions and provide feedback to presenters
• Collaborate together to award honors and prizes at the end of the event

Judges’ bios will be shared with our online followers and the attendees at the event and will have a moment to address the audience during the event.
Workshop Facilitators will be asked to:

• Provide information about selected topics to aspiring Pitch Night presenters
• Interact with aspiring Pitch Night presenters, answering questions and providing feedback
• Provide handouts or other follow-up materials for Pitch Night presenters to use

Workshop Facilitators’ bios and contact will be with our online followers, along with a thanks for their service
If you’re interested in becoming a judge or workshop leader, please contact Aili at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org. 

In-Kind Support: We’re looking for companies willing to donate resources to help us elevate the quality of this event. Needed resources include:

• Event signage
• Event promotion
• Catering services
• Bar services
• Prizes for participants
• Thank-you gifts for sponsors, judges, participants, and attendees
• Raffle prizes, silent auction items, and other fundraising incentives

If you would like to donate in-kind items for this event, please contact Luna at llane@noblesvillecreates.org.

Date: September 25th

Time: 5:15pm to 9:30pm

Location: Embassy Suites in Noblesville

Reception: (5:15 – 7 p.m.) featuring a cash bar, live art demonstrations and music, a Whiskey Pull!

Dinner and Program: (7:00 p.m.) featuring dinner by Embassy Suites, live music, a Live Auction, Fund-a-Need, and the Noblesville Creates Awards Ceremony

Silent and Live Auctions Featuring: Experience packages and merchandise, hotel packages courtesy of Hamilton County Tourism, exclusive art experiences and classes by local artists, original art, and much more! The Live Auction will begin at 8:00 p.m. The Silent Auction closes at 8:30 p.m.

Indiana Gaming License #015150

8-Top tables are available for $1500

A company or individual who sponsors a 8-top table will have their logo displayed at their table and will receive on-screen recognition.

Catering Provided by Embassy Suites, Noblesville 

Salad
Mixed Field Green Salad with Choice of Ranch or Balsamic Dressing

Entrée
Airline Chicken Breast Seared with Lemon Sauce and Capers, Herb Roasted Potato Wedges, Vegetable Medley

Dessert
Choice of Chocolate Cafe (GF) or Raspberry Lemon Drop Cake 

**Vegan/Vegetarian/Dairy-Free options must be reserved in advance. Other dietary restrictions can also be accommodated with at least 14-days advanced notice.

The Silent Auction will be available at the start of the evening (details to come)!

Bids can be made on your phone once you’re checked in for the evening and will end at 8:45 p.m.

Details are still in development! The Live Auction portion of the Gala will include a table at next year’s Gala.

Be sure to keep an ear out for our Fund-A-Need, where we’ll announce the launch of an exciting new project!

Emerging Artist of the Year:
David Fleshman
Emery Henderson
Frank Hindes
Jason Reinhardt
Cairo Morada

Artist of the Year:
Mark Rouse
Frances Ruiz
Amanda Russo
Joy Collins

Arts Partner of the Year:
Nica Post
Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District
Westfield Library
Noblesville Public Safety

Arts Advocate of the Year:
Heather Boelke
Caroline Hays
Linda Jordan
Jennifer Wolfe

Arts Champion of the Year:
Darren Peterson
HamCo Live
Fishers Arts Council
City of Westfield
Mike Thibedeau

Artist of the Year
Boxx the Artist

Emerging Artist of the Year
Laura McCormick

Artist Leader of the Year
Riwo

Arts Advocate of the Year
Pat Grabill

Arts Patron of the Year:
Brenda Myers

Corporate Arts Partner of the Year:
Star Bank

Emeritus Board Member:
Gino Johnson

Artist of the Year:
Boxx The Artist
Caroline Pyle
Karen Fehr
Gino Johnson

Emerging Artist of the Year:
Ashley Marie Meyers
Laura McCormick
Michael Levine
Kenn Schliz

Artist Leader of the Year:
Josh Cecil
Riwo Leach
Mike White
Glenn Dobbs

Arts Advocates of the Year:
Josh Leach
Betsy Reason
Paige Sharp
Pat Grabill

Arts Patrons of the Year:
Carol Adams
Cindy Leahy
Brenda Myers

Corporate Arts Partner of the Year:
Rivet
MashCraft
Star Bank

Artist of the Year
Simona Buna

Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Sweet Tunes

Artist Advocate of the Year
Esperanza Alonzo

Arts Partner of the Year
The Ignite Studio

Arts Patron of the Year:
Douglas Church

Artist of the Year
Penny Roberson
Peg Adams
Simona Buna
Caroline Hays
Steve Sickles

Arts Entrepreneur of the Year
Koda Witsken
Sweet Tunes
Emily Winkel
Erik Lundorf

Artist Advocate of the Year
Ian Hauer
Vernon Williams
John Hinton
Esperanza Alonzo

Arts Partner of the Year
Gabby Blauert, Hamilton County Tourism
Nathan Compton & Tim Palmer, Primeval Brewing
Jessica Layman, Hamilton County Bicentennial
The Ignite Studio
Yolanda Kincaid

Arts Patron of the Year:
Susan Dickey
Katie & Chris Nurnberger
Jack & Chris Martin
Douglas Church

Artist of the Year
Shaunt’e Lewis

Emerging Artist of the Year
Critt Hunter

Arts Patron of the Year
Moonshot Games

Arts Champion of the Year
Cheryl Bowlin of Janus Developmental Services

Cultural Venture of the Year
Kelly McVey & Indiana Peony Festival

Emerging Artist of the Year: Indy Gorgeous Club

Artist of the Year: Korie Pickett

Arts Educator of the Year Nominees: Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi

Emerging Arts Patron of the Year Nominees: Dick Gordon 

Arts Patron of the Year Nominees: Meyer Najem 

SPECIAL: Lifetime Achievement Award: Sue Payne

Honorable Mentions:

These are additional groups and individuals who made great achievements in the arts in the past year:

Artists:

• Lesley Haflich – for inspiring others
• Koda Witsken – for public art projects
• Krista Darrow – for enthusiasm & dedication
• Ava Turner – Emerging Artist 

Public Art Projects:

• Riverview Hospital for the Infusion Center Sculptures
• Thompson Thrift for Fishers District Murals
• City of Noblesville for North Alley Activation

Inspiring Leadership:

• Hamilton County Tourism for enduring through great hardships and continuing to champion the arts

2018 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Carol Griffith

Emerging Artist of the Year: Gavin Cooley

Arts Educator of the Year: Jamie Follis

Emerging Art Champion of the Year: The City of Fishers

Patron of the Year: Noblesville’s Downtown District Committee

2017 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Christine Merchent and J. Rodney Reveal

Emerging Artist of the Year: Noah Laramore

Emerging Arts Champion of the Year: John Gilmore

Patron of the Year: The Legacy Fund

Christine Merchent

J. Rodney Reveal

Noah Laramore

John Gilmore

Legacy Fund

2016 AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year: Lesley Haflich

Emerging Artist of the Year: Kat Ho

Emerging Patron of the Year: Alaina Shonkwiler

Patron of the Year: the Noblesville Parks Foundation

Read more about the WINNERS HERE!