MCC Powwow
Nebraska Arts Council aspires to positively impact the lives of Nebraskans through the power of art. We provide programming, grants, and opportunities to foster creative innovation statewide.
Formed in 1974 by an act passed in the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Arts Council is comprised of 15 board members appointed by the Governor of Nebraska. Together, the board and staff partner with the State of Nebraska, National Endowment for the Arts, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment—a unique partnership among the state and private contributors.
To promote, cultivate and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. In doing so, the Nebraska Arts Council provides grants and services to artists, organizations, and communities that:
Every three years, Nebraska Arts Council engages in a strategic planning process to create a dialogue with Nebraska’s cultural community and to align our efforts with the needs and priorities of the arts in our state.
Read the Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 based on Nebraskans’ valuable input.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Approximately one-third of Nebraska Arts Council’s operations and grant offerings are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
The NEA exists to foster, preserve, and promote excellence in the arts, bring art to all Americans and provide leadership in arts education. The NEA is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts – providing support to all 50 states and six U.S. jurisdictions.
Nebraska Cultural Endowment
Nebraska Cultural Endowment represents a unique partnership between the State of Nebraska and the people of Nebraska. Its funding enables support of arts and humanities programs in Nebraska beyond what is available through Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska.
Nebraskans for the Arts
Representing arts organizations and individual members across the state, Nebraskans for the Arts advises policy makers, elected officials, and community leaders on the importance of strong arts education in our schools, the economic impact of the arts in our communities, and the benefits of pro-arts policies for Nebraska.
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Founded in 1972, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, a nonprofit regional arts organization, brings more art to more people through partnerships with the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Nebraska Arts Council board member minutes are available to the public per the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.
Shari Hofschire, Chair – Omaha
Zack Cheek – Omaha
Brenda Davis – Beatrice
Michelle Dudley – Norfolk
Mark C. Laughlin – Omaha
Sarah Peetz – Lincoln
Walter Seiler – Alliance
Crystal Dunning – Lincoln
Karen Harris – York
Brian Botsford- Kearney
Jon Gross- Lincoln
Jeanne Salerno- Omaha
L. James Wright- Omaha
Next set of panels will take place in the Fall with the 2025 Spring Set Deadline Grants.
2024 Board Meetings
December 10: Virtual (hosted from NAC offices, streamed on YouTube)
2025 Board Meetings
March 4: Hybrid- In person and Virtual (hosted at the NAC Offices)
June 10: In Person (hosted at the NAC Offices)
September 9: In Person (location TBD)
December 9: Virtual (hosted at the NAC Offices, streamed on YouTube)
View below the latest board meeting that took place on 03/07/2024.
When you accept grant funds, you agree to acknowledge the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment in all advertising, news releases, printed programs, and other promotional materials. In addition, both logos must appear in any related materials that feature logos of supporting organizations or businesses.