ABOUT THE AWARDS
CreativeOhio’s annual Champion Advocacy Awards honor Ohioans who enrich their community and culture as leaders in advocacy and support of the creative sector, and feature a different region of the state each year.
Questions?
Nominations are closed for 2026
ARTS EDUCATOR CHAMPION
An individual who has made a significant impact on arts education
Artist champion
An individual who has made a significant impact in the creative sector
individual advocate champion
An individual who has increased public awareness about the importance of arts and culture
BUSINESS ADVOCATE CHAMPION
A business that has increased public awareness about the importance of arts and culture
History
Past Award Winners
The CreativeOhio Champion Advocacy Awards were launched in 2023 as part of a celebration of the migration of Ohio Citizens for the Arts to CreativeOhio. Prior to that, an award was given annually to an individual or group who has made significant impact on Ohio through their advocacy. The award started in 2014 as the William R. Joseph Advocacy Medal, honoring the lifelong advocacy work of Ohio Citizens for the Arts co-founder, William R. Joseph.
2025 Winners | Northwest Ohio
Sally Windle | Arts Educator Champion
Philip Sugden | Artist Champion
Ohio Logistics | Business Champion
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz | Individual Advocate Champion
Susan Palmer | Lifetime Achievement Award
Elizabeth Brown-Ellis | Special Recognition for her service to CreativeOhio
2024 Winners | Cincinnati, Ohio
Dr. Isidore Rudnick | Arts Educator Champion
Calcagno (Cal) Cullen | Artist Champion
Messer Construction | Business Champion
Kala Gibson | Individual Advocate Champion
Senator Stan Aronoff (posthumously) | Lifetime Achievement Award
2023 winners | Mahoning Valley
Rebecca Keck | Arts Educator Champion
Daniel Rauschenbach | Artist Champion
Huntington | Business Advocate Champion
Jim Tressel | Individual Advocate Champion
Dr. Louis A. Zona | Lifetime Achievement Award
William r joseph advocacy Medal
The Crane Family | 2022
Tom Katzenmeyer | 2021
Frances Buchholzer | 2019
Sara Jane DeHoff | 2018
Karen Waldbillig Kasich | 2017
Geraldine “Ginger” Warner | 2016
Tom Schorgl | 2015
William P. Blair (Co-founder, Ohio Citizens for the Arts) | 2014
