Noblesville Creates’ 2025-2029 Strategic Plan seeks to expand its impact in local creative economy

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Noblesville Creates (NC) will soon launch its Strategic Plan, shaping the organization’s future now through 2029. The nonprofit is embarking on a transformative journey to expand its impact within the creative economy, building upon its artist-focused foundation to become a citywide leader in economic development, cultural advocacy, and civic collaboration.

Regarding the strategic plan, NC Executive Director Aili McGill said, “We are so excited, after two and a half years, to have finally landed on a robust, competitive, and focused vision for the future. Working together through a pandemic and changes in the world, this strategic plan showcases the collaboration and vision of so many stakeholders throughout the community.”

NC’s strategic plan is multifaceted in its approach, focusing on three main priorities: leadership, economic development, and community. It also introduces a bold redefinition of how art is valued and integrated into community life:

Shifting the Perception of Art

This plan redefines art from “hobbyist” to “professional,” emphasizing that the arts are not just “extra,” but a vital contributor to the community. NC is helping others see creative work as essential to a community’s identity, growth, and local vitality.

The Arts as a Tool for Community & Economic Growth

This isn’t just about creativity, it’s about what creativity fuels: community pride, local business and economic development, corporate attraction, and sustainable growth. The creative economy is not a luxury; it’s an essential strategy for economic growth.

Creating a Community of Creators and Supporters

From artists to business leaders, NC is building a network that sees creative professionals as experts who fuel and lead the creative economy. The goal: a collaborative, thriving ecosystem of support.

Driving Results with Data & Identity

With a focus on data-driven decision-making, the plan connects creativity to tangible outcomes like increased belonging, measurable economic impact, and a stronger community identity that people are proud of. In addition to wanting people to be proud of these communities, NC wants people to be eager to be a part of these communities, whether as visitors or new residents.

Preparing Leaders & Experience Seekers to Champion the Arts

Through education and storytelling, NC is ensuring that leaders and residents understand and confidently invest in the creative economy. The result: more advocates, more investment, and more visibility for communities. This plan creates more moments of fun, wonder, and beauty for communities. That’s something that can’t be overlooked.

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These priorities will be brought to life through the following three focus areas:

Leadership

Cultivate a creative economy through the collaboration of local public-private partnerships, municipal governments, arts and cultural organizations, economic development agencies, community groups, philanthropy, and the private sector.

Economic Development

Deliver data-driven results for the arts that elevates an understanding of how art creates a sense of belonging and can be used as an economic development tool.

Community

Cultivate a community of artists and supporters beyond the traditional confines of a studio or gallery that forge connections between the artist and the civic or corporate community.

This Strategic Plan establishes Noblesville Creates as a driving force for creative innovation, shaping policies, partnerships, and engagement efforts that extend beyond the arts sector to touch every part of the community.

Noblesville Creates invites the public to attend its Annual Meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 14 at the Hamilton County Artists’ Association Art Gallery, 195 S. 5^th St., Noblesville. Guests will have the opportunity to meet board members and staff, learn about the newly developed 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, and review highlights from the past fiscal year. The team will also share what’s ahead for the upcoming year. This meeting is free to attend.

Click here to learn more about the Noblesville Creates Annual meeting.

To read the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, click here. You can also read a one-page summary of the plan at this link.

About Noblesville Creates
Noblesville Creates champions the arts as an essential element of the economic health and cultural vitality of Noblesville and central Indiana. As Noblesville’s local arts agency, NC catalyzes opportunities for the arts and local creatives of all skill levels to thrive and lead in central Indiana. NC is also the Region 7 Arts Partner for the Indiana Arts Commission, serving the six counties at the center of the state. NC cultivates classes, events, programs, and services for art-lovers and artists of all backgrounds and experience levels. Start your creative journey with NC: it will help you connect and flourish.