Founded in 2002 by Seth Fein, The Nicodemus Agency began as a boutique touring company focused on helping emerging independent artists build sustainable touring opportunities throughout the country. What started with small DIY shows in Urbana quickly evolved into a broader independent cultural ecosystem rooted in live entertainment, community engagement, and creative collaboration. In 2005, the company founded PYGMALION, a venue-based multidisciplinary festival that has grown into one of the country’s longest-running independent festivals, entering its 22nd year in 2026. Over time, the company expanded to include talent buying, event production, venue strategy, audience development, ticketing consultation, and cultural programming across a wide range of disciplines.
Throughout its history, The Nicodemus Agency and its affiliated creative partners helped launch and support numerous community-focused initiatives including Smile Politely, Wax Era Creative, Justine Bursoni Photography, The Made Fest, The Accord, and the ILLIAC festival in partnership with the Champaign Park District. The company’s programming history spans thousands of events ranging from intimate club shows to large-scale festivals and performing arts spaces, presenting musicians, comedians, authors, podcasts, creators, and multidisciplinary cultural programming throughout Champaign-Urbana and beyond.
The Nicodemus Agency has presented a wide range of critically acclaimed artists and cultural figures including Japanese Breakfast, Run the Jewels, Explosions in the Sky, CHVRCHES, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, Tig Notaro, Eric Andre, Hannibal Buress, Bob the Drag Queen, Antoni Porowski, and many others. Today, the company continues to focus on long-term audience development, thoughtful curation, strong community relationships, and sustainable operational strategy, bringing both regional familiarity and national industry relationships to its work.