Haymaker Creative District Logo

About Nebraska Creative Districts

Nebraska Arts Council Logo

The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.

Creative Districts are designated cultural and economic areas where innovation flourishes and neighborhoods come together in the name of art.

About The Haymaker Creative District

The Map

map

The People

Staff

karlie buss

Karlie Buss

Coordinator

Haymaker Creative District

Executive Board

Trey Botts

Trey Botts

Art Teacher

Cozad High School

Robyn Geiser

Robyn Geiser

Housing Director

Cozad Development Corporation

Jennifer McKeone

Jennifer McKeone

Executive Director

Cozad Development Corporation

Peter Osborne

Peter Osborne

Executive Director

Robert Henri Museum & Art Gallery

Nikki Schwanz

Nikki Schwanz

City Administrator

City of Cozad

Jordan Starman

Jordan Starman

Executive Director

Cozad Chamber of Commerce

Advisory Committee

robert henri

Marlene Geiger

Board President

Robert Henri Museum & Art Gallery

Tom  Gosinski

Tom Gosinski

Owner

Dawson Home & Flowers

jeremy Koch

Jeremy Koch

Owner

Natural Escapes of Cozad

Rose Mapel

Rose Mapel

Artist, Author, and Owner

Artist Innovations NE

laura rody

Laura Rody

Assistant Director

Wilson Public Library

grand generation center

Tamie Thurn

Executive Director

Cozad Grand Generation Center

The Projects & Events

A New Welcome to the District

New signage at the Cozad Welcome Garden by local business Jack's Welding and Machine Shop, adorned with color changing lighting. Soon Natural Escapes of Cozad will install landscaping to complete the final phase of the project.

We are excited about all the ways this new fun and creative interactive feature can be used for festive displays in the Haymaker Creative District.

The iconic Cozad-shaped landscaping design from the Welcome Garden has found a new home nestled hillside at Muny Park, enhancing its visibility and charm.

Visitors can now enjoy the design while exploring the variety of recreational activities at Muny Park, including the swimming pool, park equipment, youth football field, baseball field, sand volleyball, horseshoes, frisbee golf, camping and a story walking trail by the Wilson Public Library.

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Hospital week
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previous shape

Artists of the Month Displays

Artists of all mediums are invited to apply for an opportunity to showcase their work in window fronts of downtown Cozad. Selected artists will have their work displayed in high-traffic areas of Cozad residents and visitors, while contributing to the cultural vibrancy and aesthetic appeal of our community.

More about the Artist of the Month Displays at the top of the page in the drop down menu!

Unveiling of the New Window Mural at the Creative District Office

May 2024

The Haymaker Creative District hosted a contest in January for design submissions for a vinyl window mural at our office. It was open to anyone, and any medium.

Not only did we love the way Jakob used his design to represent many elements of our community, we were really proud that he was a Cozad alumni continuing to contribute to his hometown.

Jakob Kostman is a multimedia designer/artist originally from here in Cozad. He graduated from Cozad High School in 2019, then from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus on Graphic Design, in 2023. A highlight from his submission, he said - I leave off with a quote that deeply resonates with me from Robert Henri’s The Art Spirit. “Do whatever you do intensely. The artist is the man who leaves the crowd and goes pioneering. With him there is an idea which is his life.”

Congratulations, Jakob, on the installation of your work and prize of $200 in Cozad bucks, to be used at any Cozad Chamber member's business.

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mural and signage

May Meridian Maker Market

May 2024

This brand new initiative is aimed at supporting local artists, creators and small businesses, while fostering a vibrant atmosphere of creativity, commerce and entertainment.

Each month will feature unique vendors, a live artist competition, car cruise and display, downtown poker run, food trucks, beer garden, photo op, and lots of activities!

May featured:

  • 22 vendors

  • 5 artists in the competition

  • 5 featured cars

  • A live Elvis Tribute performing artist

  • approx. 200 attendees

More about the Meridian Maker Market at the top of the page in the drop down menu!

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elvis

April Meridian Maker Market

April 2024

This brand new initiative is aimed at supporting local artists, creators and small businesses, while fostering a vibrant atmosphere of creativity, commerce and entertainment.

Each month will feature unique vendors, a live artist competition, car cruise and display, downtown poker run, food trucks, beer garden, photo op, and lots of activities!

April featured:

  • 16 vendors

  • 4 artists in the competition

  • 3 featured cars

  • approx. 100 attendees

More about the Meridian Maker Market at the top of the page in the drop down menu!

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family photo

Unveiling of the New Welcome Garden

January 2024

In celebration of the unveiling of the new signage at the Cozad Welcome Garden, the Haymaker Creative District hosted an artist pop up shop, with charcuterie table and free caricature drawings for attendees at the Meridian Tap House.

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unveiling the sign

Snowman Decorating Contest

January 2024

To make the best of a heavy snowfall, the Haymaker Creative District hosted a Snowman Decorating Contest to encourage local youth to get active and creative. Local businesses 222 Hardware, Megan Fales Shelter Insurance and The Front Porch Coffee Shop sponsored prizes. 1st Place: Annual Family Pass to the Cozad Pool. 2nd Place: $25 Gift Card to the Fox Theater. 3rd Place: $15 Gift Card to the Front Porch Coffee Shop

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snowman and 2 children

You've Been Grinched Holiday Fundraiser

December 2023

A whimsical display of Holiday Cheer, the Grinch display could be sent to a local business or residence for a donation. This allowed for an opportunity to meet with the community to introduce the Haymaker Creative District, and share our goals and vision. Between December 1st-22nd 2023 the Grinch display visited 28 locations in Cozad and raised $1,750.

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the grinch at security first bank

Spook Night Community Pumpkin Decorating Event

October 2023

Just over 400 area youth got creative, decorating a mini pumpkin to take home from the Cozad Chamber of Commerce 2023 Spook Night.

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Haymaker Creative District committee members and honors art students handing out mini pumpkins to be decorated
Mission: To promote Haymaker District as its own urban space through neighborhood improvements, ongoing activation, economic development and community advocacy for residents, property owners, businesses and visitors alike.

Vision: To enhance this vibrant community on the historic 100th Meridian. The Haymaker District seeks to blend world-class cultural experiences, engage residents and eclectic businesses in a thriving mosaic of creativity, connectivity, livability and workability.

Values: The Haymaker District is committed to building a better downtown area that utilizes the arts and creative businesses to spur a vibrant, diverse, and economically sustainable place. With integrity and transparency, Haymaker District will serve as a responsi9ble steward that fosters and promotes the District's uniqueness and its many creative endeavors. Through collaboration and inclusiveness Haymaker District is dedicated to bringing the community together using the catalyst of art in all its forms.

Contact

Email: karlie@cozadcreates.com

Office Address: 209 W. 8th Street, Cozad, NE 69130