“Avant Guard” takes top honors

Noblesville Creates’ inaugural Pitch Night hits 50 percent of fundraising goal

Submitted

The judges agreed. So did the audience.

At Noblesville Creates’ inaugural Creative Economy Pitch Night, Eric Thornbury’s “Avant Guard” project received both the Judges’ Recommendation and the People’s Choice Award, emerging from an evening designed to demonstrate what can happen when creative ideas are put in front of the community members and decision-makers capable of helping them grow.

“Avant Guard” highlights the need for a performing arts space capable of supporting ambitious creative work and helping give rise to a significant cultural arts performance.

The dual recognition represented a particularly fitting outcome for the inaugural event.

Approximately 120 attendees filled the Conner Prairie Banquet Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22, for the three-hour event, which combined a competition-style format – think Shark Tank meets TED Talk – with networking, fundraising and recognition of creative leadership throughout the community.

Other pitches presented:

• “Beyond Public Art: How Artists Can Help Build Places that Thrive” by Rachel Kavathe – Earlier integration of creative voices to city planning and design help deepen a sense of community and home.
• “The Great Squirrel Stampede” by Cairo Morada – Remembering history through live art installations and story.
• “Bridging the Gap” by Cory Constantine (of 900 North) – Creative visions need translators when collaborators wield different languages for the same outcomes.
• “Capacity” by Katina Washington – Building a more nimble and creatively pivoting workforce through early induction and advocacy for entrepreneurship.
• “More Art, Please” by Nica Post (of Looking Glass Pottery) – Art creation can build a happier and healthier community, so an art center is essential for collective wellness.
• “Raising the Bar for Local Art: Elevating Understanding through Education and Engagement” by Ros Demaree (of Indiana Artisan) – Creative excellence becomes more inclusive with access to purposeful instruction.

The professional judges brought perspectives from banking, development, corporate communications, and tourism. The audience brought the voice of the community.

“Avant Guard” resonated with both.

Noblesville Creates invites individuals, businesses, community organizations and potential investors to help determine what happens next. The organization has currently raised $12,720 toward its $25,000 Pitch Night Initiative funding goal – approximately 50.1 percent of the campaign. That leaves a $12,280 funding gap as Noblesville Creates works to continue developing Pitch Night beyond its inaugural event.

If you have interest in getting involved with any of the presenters projects or in helping us grow the Pitch Night initiative, please contact Executive Director Aili McGill at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org.