2026 CreDis Awards Recipients

The Nebraska Arts Council is proud to announce the four recipients of the third annual CreDis Awards during this year’s Creative District Assembly held in Kearney on Tuesday, September 2nd.

The CreDis Awards (pronounced “Cree-Dis) are presented to individuals and Creative Districts that exhibit leadership, innovation, or support for the Creative District Program. The award title combines the two words of the program, Creative District. Serendipitously, in Latin, CreDis can also mean “to believe in, rely on, entrust.”

The following individuals and districts were chosen for this award:

The Bricks Creative District – Kearney, NE

Group of eight people standing together in front of a large quilt featuring a red and pink star pattern. One person in the center holds an award, and the group is posed and smiling toward the camera on an indoor stage with black curtains in the background.

Members of the Bricks Creative District (from left to right)- Christine Walsh, Kelsey Anderson, Audrey Kauders, Steve Barth (Crane River Theatre),

The Bricks Creative District in Kearney was not only the host for the 2026 Creative District Assembly and Statewide Arts Conference. In the past year, they also partnered with Flatwater Free Press to design and implement a poster that represented their district, planned a re-dedication at the Kearney I-80 Westbound Rest Area of Nebraska Wind Sculpture by George Baker along with creating a new mural, crosswalk murals, and transformed their downtown with a “yarn bombing” project.

Their committee approach to the Creative District means that multiple people are involved and a wide variety of viewpoints are represented. The Kearney Cultural Partners is a group of organizations that are dedicated to bringing a rich assortment of art, music, dance, theater, movies, history, and literature to their community all year. Long before they were a Creative District, Kearney has been showing the state how partnering together makes our communities thrive.

Auburn Creative District – Auburn, NE

Three people standing in front of a large quilt featuring a red and pink star pattern. The person in the center is holding an award, and all three are posed together on an indoor stage with black curtains in the background.

Leslie Clark receiving a CreDis Award on behalf of the Auburn Creative District

Auburn has taken the Creative District certification and created an entire identity for their community around it. Even during their site visit as part of the certification process, Auburn had a dream. It wasn’t long until that dream became a reality. They brought in international muralist Matt Willey, founder of the Good of the Hive Initiative, to paint a mural downtown. This impressive mural solidified their tie to the honeybee, which is Nebraska’s state insect and has its origins in Auburn. Leslie Clark, Executive Director of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, and Matt shared their experience at Arts & Culture Day earlier this year. This wasn’t a one-time collaboration. Matt came back to Auburn this summer to add to the mural, showing that our communities are constantly growing and changing, just like a piece of art.

UNI Place Creative District – Lincoln, NE

Four people standing together on an indoor stage in front of a quilt with a red and pink star design. Two people in the center hold an award between them, while the others stand on either side. Black curtains frame the backdrop, and a small table with a laptop is positioned to the right.

Members of the Uni Placer Creative District in Lincoln (from left to right)- Andy Peterson and Kinzee Hillis

Lincoln’s only Creative District holds monthly Makers Markets every month from May –October. The Markets feature over 60 local vendors, live music, food trucks, and more. Admission is free and is held rain or shine! In 2025, the Markets saw attendance ranging from 120-500 attendees per hour.

Due to the success of the Night Markets, the event has gone from being all volunteer run to hiring administrators which will expand the professional capacity and ensure consistency as the Markets continue to grow.

The Makers Markets are having an impact on artists, businesses, and residents in their neighborhood.

Trax Creative District – Columbus, NE

Four people standing together on a stage in front of a quilt with a red and pink star pattern. Two people in the center hold an award between them, while the other two stand to each side. Black curtains frame the background, and a small table with a laptop sits to the right.

Members of the Trax Creative District in Columbus (from left to right)- Jean Van Iperen and Adilene Jimenez

The Trax Creative District in Columbus is committed to providing opportunities for local artists, aspiring creators, and volunteers to engage in activities that inspire and support cultural growth. Due to the strong relationship with their city government, they have sustainable leadership while providing creative opportunities that are unique to their community. You’ll see everything from Paint & Plant for kids, Needle Felting, the Silent Walls Loud Voices art exhibit, and Sneakers & Paint Drips. Their commitment to their community extends to their marketing, seeing it translated into Spanish and English.

The City of Columbus said it best, “Columbus didn’t simply become a Creative District. It has worked to make the designation something residents can see, experience and participate in.”

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