Arts United announces the nominees to be recognized at the 2020 Arts United Awards on Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 5:30-8 PM on stage at the Arts United Center (303 E. Main St.). The Arts United Awards celebrate the individuals and organizations making significant contributions to communities in Northeast Indiana through arts and culture.

The nominees and nominators include:

Margaret Ann Keegan Award (for Arts Education)

• AJ Lorenzini (nominated by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre)

• Andrew Sherman (nominated by Doris Hawley)

• Craig Humphrey (nominated by James Stover)

• Dave Meyer (nominated by Fort Wayne Philharmonic)

• Laura McCoy (nominated by Melanie T. Hall)

• Terry Doran (nominated by Patty Hunter)

Emerging Artist

• Adam Garland (nominated by Jake Wilhelm)

• Angela Sahli (nominated by Marilyn Petersen)

• Cote Godoy (nominated by Fort Wayne Dance Collective)

Emerging Leader

• Andrew Sherman (nominated by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre)

• Capri Parrish Williams (nominated by Heather Closson)

• Olivia Ulch (nominated by Heather Closson)

• Todd Espeland (nominated by Christopher J. Murphy)

Outstanding Advocate

• Diana Barscht (nominated by FAME)

• Dr. Wendy Robinson (nominated by Melanie T. Hall)

• Karen Gibbons-Brown (nominated by Michele DeVinney)

• Maria Davis (nominated by Downtown Angola Coalition)

• Mary Moore (nominated by HeART of the City)

• Merry Ewing (nominated by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre)

• Stephen J. Bailey (nominated by Catherine Hill)

Outstanding Artist

• Candie Cooper McCoart (nominated by Honeywell Foundation)

• Elizabeth Mikautadze (nominated by David Mikautadze, Danielle Sarrazine, and Aleksandr Bogun)

• Greg Stieber (nominated by Karen, Madeline, and Emily Koch)

• Margarita Walley (nominated by Raquel A. Kline)

• Nick Ferran (nominated by Jack Ellsworth)

Outstanding Collaboration

• Audiences Unlimited/L.I.F.E. Adult Day Academy (nominated by Jennifer King)

• Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation/Fort Wayne Public Art Commission (nominated by Fort Wayne Museum of Art)

• Jack Ellsworth and Nick Ferran (nominated by Carolyn Bean)

• Mikautadze Dance Theatre (nominated by David Mikautadze and Zachary Fensler)

• Violins of Hope (nominated by Arts United)

Outstanding Volunteer

• Leslie Beauchamp (nominated by Emma Leavell)

• Shawna Roberts (nominated by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre)

• Sloan Amburgey-Thomas (nominated by Fort Wayne Youtheatre)

This year’s award ceremony will also include the Mayor’s Arts Award presented by the City of Fort Wayne and special recognition for the community-wide event, Violins of Hope.

Learn more about the award categories and view past recipients at artsunited.org/awards. Arts United is sharing short biographies of 2020 nominees via Facebook leading up to the January 18 event.

Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that serves both as a local arts agency and united arts fund to the creative sector of Northeast Indiana. Arts United brings collective focus and support to more than 80 arts and culture nonprofits and initiatives through arts advocacy and promotion, fundraising and grantmaking, back-office business services, community and economic development, and Arts Campus Fort Wayne coordination.