Community members gathered alongside Corteva and the Indiana State Fairgrounds on April 16 for the unveiling of the newly named Corteva Coliseum.
Announced last year, the naming rights partnership represents an ongoing commitment by Corteva, a leading pure-play agricultural technology company, and the Indiana State Fairgrounds to Indiana agriculture.
“The Corteva Coliseum is an important venue for our hometown and everyone who loves the Indiana State Fair,” Audrey Grimm, senior vice president and chief people officer at Corteva, said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with the Indiana State Fairgrounds to ensure the Coliseum remains a cornerstone of our state’s celebration of agriculture.”
Opened in 1939 and rebuilt in 2014, the Coliseum is a historic landmark for the Indiana State Fairgrounds, having drawn visitors from across the state and around the world. Whether hosting hockey games, concerts, livestock shows or cheerleading competitions, the Coliseum hosts about 100 events annually — only a quarter of the total events hosted at the fairgrounds each year, according to Anna Welchel, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Indiana State Fair Commission.
Corteva and the Indiana State Fairgrounds have been partners for roughly 15 years, according to Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. The newly expanded partnership allows them to remain committed to the Indianapolis community while ensuring the Coliseum continues to offer memorable experiences for generations to come.
Dating back to the mid-1800s, state fairs have always championed connecting farmers across the state with one another, Hoye said. However, over the years, that mission has shifted to promoting connectivity between farmers and consumers.
READ MORE: Fighting food insecurity and isolation: How a local partnership is changing lives
“The first time you might ever be face to face with the farmer (is) during the fair and talking to them about how they’re producing the food that you’re eating from your grocery store,” Hoye said. “It’s really that connectivity, and this is a platform for where that happens. So, it started from there, and leadership from Corteva said, ‘How can we grow this? How can we elevate this partnership?’”
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Corteva invests to help farmers solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, including food security. The partnership between Corteva and the Indiana State Fairgrounds aims to help Hoosiers understand where their food comes from, said Mitch Frazier, Indiana State Fair Commission chair.
“My hope is Corteva has the opportunity to really shine a spotlight on the work that is happening in innovation in agriculture,” Frazier said. “They are the pioneer in (agriculture) bioscience innovation, and to have a place like this, that they can welcome people to all year, is extraordinary.”
Corteva also sponsors Indiana State Fair’s Featured Farmers program, and more than 45 organizations across the state, such as FFA, 4-H, Gleaners Food Bank and United Way of Central Indiana. For more information, visit corteva.com.
For more details on the Indiana State Fairgrounds and upcoming events, visit indianastatefair.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
