Nickel Plate Awards to honor impact in the arts

Nickel Plate Arts is seeking nominations for the annual Nickel Plate Arts Awards. The honors recognize individuals or organizations that show outstanding leadership and vision in the support, promotion and provision of creativity.

The organization is accepting nominations through Aug. 5 in the Artist of the Year, Arts Patron of the Year, Emerging Arts Champion of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year categories. Nominees and winners will be honored at the Nickel Plate Arts Awards ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Nickel Plate Arts campus in Noblesville.

“The Nickel Plate Arts Awards are our opportunity to recognize great leadership in our local arts community,” says Nickel Plate Arts Director Aili McGill. “In 2018, we hope to get nominations from all corners of our region for a diverse group of artists and patrons. We know there are wonderful arts leadership stories in our community, we just need your help to highlight them!”

Nominations are due to amcgill@nickelplatearts.org by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5. Nominees will be notified by Saturday, Aug. 19. You can find the nomination form at the Nickel Plate Arts website.

“Last year was the first year for the awards and we were able to recognize two artists who continue to grow the reputation of the Noblesville arts scene, as well as patron who have helped ensure that the arts have a strong and dedicated home in the Nickel Plate Arts Region,” says McGill.

The 2016 winners included Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville Art Director Kat Ho as Emerging Artist of the Year, Noblesville Economic Development Assistant Director Alaina Shonkwiler as Emerging Patron of the Year, Lesley Haflich as Artist of the Year and the Noblesville Parks Foundation as Arts Patron of the Year.

The Nickel Plate Arts Awards are being presented in conjunction with the organization’s fifth anniversary celebration.

Nickel Plate Arts is an umbrella nonprofit organization that creates and coordinates arts and cultural experiences across communities to improve the quality of life for residents, strengthen local economies and enrich experiences for visitors. Nickel Plate Arts is a project of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. The Nickel Plate Arts Trail extends 30 miles through Fishers, Noblesville, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta and Tipton. Visit us at 107 S. 8th Street in Noblesville, online at www.nickelplatearts.org or call 317-452-3690.