The Arts United Awards presentation is Northeast Indiana’s premier celebration of the people, organizations, and businesses that make significant contributions through arts and culture to communities throughout our region.

2022 Arts United Awards
Presented by Ruoff Mortgage
Over the last four decades, Arts United has recognized hundreds of individuals and organizations through our annual arts and culture awards. Now known as the Arts United Awards, this presentation is Northeast Indiana’s premier celebration of the people, organizations, and businesses that make significant contributions through arts and culture to communities throughout our region.
The 2022 Arts United Awards are generously supported by Ruoff Mortgage. Thank you, Ruoff!

Watch the 2022 Arts United Awards
Join us in celebrating the recipients of the 2022 Arts United Awards and learn more about their contributions. Watch Fort Wayne’s NBC program for the 2022 Arts United Awards presentation here.
2022 Nominees
*award recipients
- Abby Leon
- Adrian Curry
- AiJaye Crowder
- Amy Ford
- Andy Planck
- Ben Clemmer
- Bonnie Andrews
- Bryan Ballinger*
- Camille Curry
- Campbell MacDonald
- Carolyn Meyer and Karissa Kalb*
- Chris Ford*
- Circus Hall of Fame
- Condra Ridley*
- Daniel Reuning*
- Dorothy Kittaka*
- Elaina Robbins
- Elise Ramel
- First Presbyterian Theatre cast of “The Wolves”
- Fort Wayne Philharmonic
- Fort Wayne Sister Cities
- Foundation One
- Green Hair Revolution
- Greg Mendez*
- Heartland Sings
- James Stover
- Jennifer Beineke
- Kelly Updike
- Kip Bailey
- Leah Reeder*
- Lee Rainboth
- Mandie Kolkman and Fort Wayne Dance Collective
- Mary Fink
- Michael Johnson
- Michael Patterson
- Mindy Cox
- Science Central Education Team
- Sheila Moore and Jomare Bowers-Mizzell*
- Todd Frymier
- Tyrone Cato
- Warren Theatre Guild
- Zynette Paige*
Nomination Information
Eligibility
Nominees should be individuals, teams, and/or organizations who are making artistic and cultural contributions to one or more communities located within the 12-county region of Northeast Indiana that includes Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties.
Examples of previous award recipients include:
- Advocates
- Artists
- Board Members
- Businesses
- Collaborations
- Communities
- Educators
- Leaders
- Neighborhoods
- Organizations
- Philanthropists
- Schools
- Staff Members
- Volunteers
- …and anyone else who adds value to arts and culture in our community!
Areas of Recognition
In 2021, Arts United shifted away from specific award categories in order to recognize as many outstanding nominees as possible. Some categories will remain – such as the Margaret Ann Keegan Award for Arts Education, or Lifetime Achievement – but the Selection Committee will work diligently to honor those individuals based on a separate set of criteria. There’s nothing extra you need to do in the nomination process!
However, the 2022 Awards will specifically highlight:
- IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) – Recognizing individuals, teams, and organizations that demonstrate significant work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
- Innovation, Creativity, and/or Artistry – Recognizing individuals, teams, and organizations that contribute to the communities of Northeast Indiana in ways that are especially innovative and/or creative, as well as those who demonstrate exceptional artistry within their medium of art.
- Leadership – Recognizing individuals, teams, and/or organizations that demonstrate extraordinary leadership, advocacy, philanthropy, or volunteerism.
- Arts Education and Community Engagement – Recognizing individuals, teams, and/or organizations that make an exceptional contribution to the people they serve through arts or cultural programming.
When crafting your nomination, be sure to highlight any accomplishments the nominee had in one or more of these areas throughout 2021!
Evaluation Criteria
Nominations are reviewed by an all-volunteer committee of community members using any of the following criteria:
- Extent to which the nominee embodies one or more Areas of Recognition
- Significance of the contribution and/or achievement
- Breadth and/or depth of the population served
Tip: Does the contribution / achievement broadly affect a wide portion of the population, or deeply affect a narrower portion of the population? - Degree of creativity and/or innovation
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