Many state arts agencies are supporting special America 250 initiatives to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Nebraska Arts Council is one example of a state arts agency that is marking this national occasion through a variety of public art activities. The agency recently announced the My Nebraska,…
Cultural districts can be an invaluable tool for states seeking to promote economic and community development. NASAA often receives information requests about the variety of strategies that leverage the economic strengths of the arts in cultural districts and the practical policies enacted that make them work. The following examples of state-led cultural districts highlight the…
Many arts organizations have experienced significant setbacks from the pandemic. While some organizations will be able to bounce back, others must grapple with existential questions related to their financial stability, mission impact and ultimate survival. Numerous nonprofit organizations will be closing their doors for good, and cultural groups are among the most vulnerable. With a…
Nebraska has a long history of circulating posters encouraging social action. During times of crisis, conflict and change, posters have been an inexpensive and accessible medium for public messaging around topics like rationing, volunteerism and solidarity. Recognizing that 2020 has been a year of challenge and change, the Nebraska Arts Council, in collaboration with History…
Arts and culture play a vital role in crisis recovery and collective well-being. There is currently a high level of interest in learning how to reopen the arts sector after the programming reductions forced by COVID-19. However, resuming arts activities and reopening cultural venues require addressing a kaleidoscope of ever-changing circumstances. Reopening practices necessitate taking…
NebraskaStrong Creative Relief is a new partnership between the Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Arts Council (NAC). The goal of the collaboration is to use the arts to bring people together and affirm resourcefulness, civic cohesion, grit and community pride—all essential to recovery in regions of Nebraska damaged by this year’s record-breaking floods. NebraskaStrong…
Mastering the Arts (MTA) is a new four-year initiative to provide arts focused professional development to teachers from seven low-achieving rural elementary schools serving Native American and Latino students. Underwritten by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the program will help up to 30 K-12 classroom and specialist teachers work toward…
In our increasingly fluid world, where information is abundant and communication instantaneous, the traditional model of strategic planning may no longer be the best fit for groups that want to maximize their constituent responsiveness. To that end, the Nebraska Arts Council(NAC) adopted the theory of “adaptive strategy” when developing its 2017-19 Strategic Plan. Inspired by a Stanford Social…
The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) has a new grant program that increases the accessibility of arts events and programs by underwriting the addition of licensed American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. Signers for the Arts Grants (SFA) provide nonmatching funds up to $250 for ASL interpreters for music, dance and theatre performances as well as art…
The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) and Nebraskans for the Arts have launched artsadvantage.com. This website features success stories in arts education and reveals how important arts experiences are for individuals who become high-achieving adults. Eighteen prominent Nebraskans are profiled through interview transcripts, written profiles and videos that share how learning in the visual arts, theatre,…
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