
Noblesville Creates gathers civic leaders and representatives of the development industry to identify key problems for the Creative Sector to address. Noblesville Creates will recruit Artists and Creatives of all kinds throughout Central Indiana to develop pitches focused on those key questions. On September 22, 2026, we will coordinate a presentation at Conner Prairie featuring an array of contestants and a panel of judges made up of local economic development leaders. The judges will select winners and award prizes, recognizing those Creatives who present the most innovative, effective, and or inspiring ideas. This event will be fun, energizing, and inspiring: think Shark Tank meets a TED Talk, with even more creative flair!
Indiana Gaming License #015150
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
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: $75 (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.orgÂ
Artists & Creatives:Â We’re looking for Creatives of all backgrounds and experience levels to compete in this pitch competition. Apply here to be one of our Pitch Night Presenters – applications are due on August 3rd.
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:
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:
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.Â
In-Kind Support: We’re looking for companies willing to donate resources to help us elevate the quality of this event. Needed resources include:
If you would like to donate in-kind items for this event, please contact Luna at llane@noblesvillecreates.org.
Date: September 22nd
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Location: Conner Prairie – 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038
Refreshments: Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available
Program: Mix and mingle with the crowd until 6:30 pm, then enjoy a series of fascinating and inspiring presentations by local artists and community leaders. Awards will be presented at approximately 8:30 p.m. and the evening will conclude at 9:00 p.m.
Fundraising Activities: This is our primary fundraising event for the year and will include several fundraising activities, including a Whiskey Pull ($50 per bottle), and a raffle (more details to come).
Indiana Gaming License #015150
Pitch Night is all about showcasing the vision and leadership of the Artists and Creative in our local community.
We’re looking for creative people with a vision for how the arts can:
If that’s you, then please throw your hat in the ring by filling out our application form by August 3rd. Click this box:
Hors D’oeuvresÂ
Menu coming soon
We will strive to ensure options for all types of dietary restrictions. If you have a specific allergy of which we should be aware, please contact us ASAP – you can also send us dietary requests when you purchase your ticket.
Drinks – with and without alcohol – will also be available. More details coming soon.
Don’t miss out on our ever-popular Whiskey Pull! Our board has donated bottles worth at least $50 – some worth more – including some unique varieties!
You can reserve your Whiskey Pull entry when you purchase your tickets or purchase it the night of the event, while supplies last.
We’ll take a few minutes during the evening to reflect on our mission and the impact we have in Central Indiana. We will ask attendees to consider supporting our programs and services, including a new project, which will reveal during the evening!
Attendees will have the opportunity to make a financial gift supporting Noblesville Creates and this new mission.
We are updating our approach to our annual awards, which recognize excellence in arts and creativity. More info to follow!

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
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
The winners for the 2021 Noblesville Creates Awards are as follows:
Emerging Artist: Frederick Durham
Emerging Arts Champion: Ross Hilleary
Artist of the Year: Jessica Hancock

Arts Leader of the Year: Tom Rich
Arts Patron of the Year: Steve Sanner, Jiffy Lube of IndianaEmerging Artist of the Year:Â Indy Gorgeous Club
Artist of the Year:Â Korie Pickett
Arts Educator of the Year Nominees:Â Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi
Emerging Arts Patron of the Year Nominees:Â Dick GordonÂ

Arts Patron of the Year Nominees:Â Meyer NajemÂ
SPECIAL: Lifetime Achievement Award:Â Sue Payne
Honorable Mentions:
These are additional groups and individuals who made great achievements in the arts in the past year:
Artists:
Public Art Projects:
Inspiring Leadership:





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:Â 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!
At Noblesville Creates, we believe that supporting artists and connecting people to the arts is essential to making Hamilton County a truly great place to live, work, and play. By empowering local artists, cultivating arts resources, and championing creative community events, we create spaces that bring people together, drive economic development, and build a deep sense of pride in our region. If you agree, then sponsoring our Celebration might be a perfect fit for you!

Nominations are open for this year’s Noblesville Creates Awards!
Nominations for 2026 will be accepted through July 30, 2026.
Nomination cards will also be available on our campus and at our events soon!
The winners of our 2026 awards will be individuals or companies who show outstanding leadership and vision in supporting, promoting and providing creativity in the regional arts communities our nonprofit organization serves.

You know the value of a picture, so instead of reading 1,000 words, check out photos from past Anniversary Party events.