Noblesville Creates Looks Forward, Back in Annual Meeting
Noblesville Creates hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting, reflecting on a transformative year while preparing for challenges and opportunities ahead. The meeting, held last month, brought together board members, staff, and supporters to review accomplishments, welcome new leadership, and align on strategic goals for the organization’s future.
Honoring Service and Welcoming New Leaders
Noblesville Creates honored retiring board members Sarah Reed and Katie Thompson, as well as departing members Georgana Nichols and John Weingardt, in recognition of their dedicated service.
Additionally, Darren Peterson concluded his term as President and stepped into the role of Past President. The organization will recognize Peterson’s extraordinary service to the organization by naming a board seat in his honor.
“There are not enough words to express our gratitude for Darren’s leadership over the past ten years,” said Aili McGill, Executive Director of Noblesville Creates. “He held us together through unprecedented challenges, including a global pandemic, and has always been ready and able to step up as a champion for the arts and the work we do. Darren has also been a great mentor and peer to me, as Executive Director, reminding me to take a breath now and then, to never be afraid to say yes to big ideas, and that the work we do is fun, as well as important. We are so glad that he will continue as Past President and as a community member well-versed in the power of arts and creativity.”
Welcoming New Leaders
New board members Julie Finke, Tommy Freeborn, Whitney Kinkle, Jayme Thompson, and Adam Reed were officially nominated.
Julie Finke comes to us from the business sector, leveraging her executive leadership experience to help us dream big for the next phase of our journey. Tommy Freeborn is a landscape architect, Noblesville resident, and current president of the Noblesville Parks Foundation. His passion for quality of place will help shape our planning and professional services. Whitney Kinkle, a Westfield resident and expert in social media and strategic planning, will take over leadership of our Strategic Planning Committee as the former chair, Rachael Coverdale, steps into the President’s chair.
Adam Reed, a Noblesville resident and product designer for Disney, brings professional experience as a working artist that will inform our programs and services and serve as a resource for emerging artists throughout our region. Jayme Thompson, Project Manager for the City of Noblesville and lead on the Arena at Innovation Mile, will serve as the City’s representative on our board. She will ensure that we stay aligned with the city’s vision and goals while helping identify opportunities to harness the power of the arts across a wide array of municipal projects.
The 2025 Board Officers include President Rachael Coverdale, Vice President Ryne Rayburn, and Secretary/Treasurer Lesle Lane.
Committees Poised for Action
Several board committees are set to carry forward the organization’s mission through strategic focus areas. These include the Strategic Growth, Events, Celebration, and Corporate Engagement Committees, each with specific goals related to program development, partnerships, and impact evaluation.
There is room for Community Members on each committee. If you are interested in participating, reach out to Aili McGill at amcgill@noblesvillecreates.org.
A Look Back: 2024 Impact and Financials
Despite infrastructure challenges such as road closures, Noblesville Creates maintained strong community engagement throughout 2024. The organization facilitated over $15,000 in local art sales and bolstered the regional economy by supporting the equivalent of 37 full-time jobs and generating nearly $730,000 in household income. Additionally, it provided funding to artists for services including performances, teaching, and public art installations.
As operational costs continue to rise, Noblesville Creates faces ongoing challenges in meeting its growing expenses, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable revenue sources and improvements to its physical space.
Pressing Needs: Space and Revenue
A key theme of the meeting was the organization’s ongoing struggle with insufficient space and underdeveloped revenue streams. Current facilities limit event execution, staff productivity, and artist opportunities. The meeting emphasized a feedback loop where space constraints hinder revenue growth, and uncertain revenue prevents investment in improved spaces.
To address this, the team is rethinking use of its campus, including a new partnership with Looking Glass Pottery and expanded collaboration with Griffy’s Art Supply. The demand for affordable studio space remains high, as more artist-entrepreneurs look to establish themselves.
Strategic Direction and Arts Planning
The organization officially ratified its new strategic plan and is investing in arts master planning for communities across Hamilton County. A draft plan for Westfield will be presented in September, with planning for Noblesville’s Master Arts Plan to begin in October. These plans will identify ways arts can enrich community identity, activate public spaces, and drive economic development.
Looking Ahead
Noblesville Creates is preparing for funding fluctuations in 2026 and beyond, particularly due to anticipated cuts at the state level. Priorities include cultivating philanthropy, refining programs through impact analysis, and expanding corporate partnerships. The organization also has its sights set on community-wide celebrations in 2026, including Noblesville Parks’ 100th Anniversary and the upcoming National Sestercentennial, which marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Join Us This Fall
Noblesville Creates invites the public to its Annual Celebration on September 25, 2025 at Embassy Suites, where the community can gather to honor local creativity and support the future of the arts. You can learn more about this celebration at https://noblesvillecreates.org/gala/.
To view photos from the 2025 Annual Meeting, click here.
To view the slide deck that was presented at this meeting, visit https://noblesvillecreates.org/media/.
For more information about Noblesville Creates, its programs, or how to get involved, visit www.noblesvillecreates.org.