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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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