| Testimony Provided at Hearing on Statewide Vision of Education in Nebraska
NFTA provided testimony on the importance of the fine arts in providing a well-rounded education. Our thanks to Kara Weander-Gaster, Executive Director of the Norfolk Arts Center, for presenting to the Unicameral's Education Committee during their October 15th hearing on LB1103 - creating a statewide vision of education in Nebraska. Testimony focused on the positive impact arts education has in improving student performance, test scores, and their critical thinking skills. Also given to the commitee were abstracts on articles and research studies. Interim Studies Being Monitored by NFTA
There are fourteen interim studies by the Nebraska Legislature that NFTA is monitoring for their impact on artists, arts organizations and arts education. These studies range from input on a statewide vision for education in Nebraska to potential funding mechanisms for museums. Visit our website for a list of the interim studies, why we are monitoring them, and the purpose statements for the studies. Most of the interim studies and their public hearings will be completed this fall.
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| Election Center
All Nebraska candidates running for Governor, Nebraska Legislature and U.S. Congress have been provided with the opportunity to complete the NFTA Candidate Survey. Responses are posted as they arrive in the Election Center. We encourage you to be an informed voter before the November 4th election.
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| Become A Nebraskans for the Arts Member Or Donate Now
Nebraskans for the Arts depends on memberships and donations from arts advocates across the state. Membership starts at only $25. Check out our secure donation page and help us share the importance of arts education, strong arts policy, and sufficient arts funding with decision makers and community leaders throughout Nebraska.
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| Check Out What Our Members Are Up To: LUX Center for the Arts
LUX Center for the Arts is a non-profit art center that offers experiences to suit a wide range of interests and tastes. We teach art classes for youth and adults in pottery, printmaking, painting, jewelry, glass, and fibers. Classes are held at the art center or can be taken off-site with the Art Van de LUX program. Exhibitions in two galleries and a gift gallery represent the highest caliber art work of local, regional, and national artists. The LUX Center for the Arts is located at 2601 N. 48th Street, Lincoln, NE. https://luxcenter.org/
Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room
Through its mission statement - Arts is Life & Life is Art - Red Path Gallery focuses on keeping the arts alive in Seward and enhancing the culture of Seward's Historic Downtown Square. They are located at 514 Seward Street, Seward, NE. Keep track of their wide variety of events and gallery exhibitions at: http://www.redpathgallery.com/
The Midwest Theater
Located at 1701 Broadway in Scottsbluff, NE, The Midwest Theater constantly has a unique mix of powerful and passionate works in film, music, and theatre by some of the most innovative, influential and renowned artists from around the country. Their 2014 Fall Schedule has shows for adults and children.
The CircleTheatre
The Circle Theatre is dedicated to providing opportunities for Nebraska Artists. This is accomplished by producing new works by Nebraska playwrights, by developing young artists through our youth intern program and by developing artistic opportunities for persons with disabilities both as artists and audience members. Shows are performed in the lower level of Central Presbyterian Church at 726 S. 55th Street, Omaha, NE. http://www.circletheatreomaha.org/
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TAGG's mobile app revolutionizes the way you can support Nebraskans for the Arts. When you use the app at participating businesses, they will donate 5% of your purchase to NFTA! Download the app, and start TAGGING!
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| NebraskARTS Award Winners Honored at Capitol Rotunda Ceremony
Congratulations to 2014 NebraskARTS Award winners Westside High School and York Public Schools. The ceremony on October 14th was a memorable event, with art on display and performances by Westside and York students before and during the event. Lieutenant Governor John Nelson helped open ceremony with remarks on the importance of the fine arts in our education system. Photos and information about both schools can be found on our website
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Schools Invited to be Part of Poetry Out Loud Be a part of the Poetry Out Loud 10th Anniversary celebration! Every high school in Nebraska is welcome. - Free to all Nebraska high schools
- Addresses many NCTE & Nebraska state standards in arts and theatre
- Teacher resources and support; including visiting poets to assist with classroom activities.
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| Spotlight on Student Achievement in the Arts
Each month, Nebraskans for the Arts honors a Nebraska student who has made outstanding achievements in the visual or performing arts.
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| The September Spotlight on Student Achievement in the Arts is awarded to Skutt Catholic High School student and 2014 Poetry Out Loud Nebraska State Champion, Amanda Pohlman. Amanda is a student with great zest, participating in all the opportunities in the arts that are available to her at school. Nominating teacher, Sherri Hoye, says, “Amanda’s willingness to work hard and handle challenges and successes with an uncommon poise for her age is a great inspiration to her schoolmates, family and teachers.” Amanda is grounded in the fine and performing arts in dance, theatre, poetry recitation, and singing. “Amanda takes great pride in her academic studies and, WOW!, you should see her light up a stage when she performs.,” according to Amanda’s mother, Michele Pohlman. “I believe that Amanda maintains a well balanced life through her strong faith and the close ties she has with her four siblings. Brent and I are so very blessed to call Amanda our daughter!” Amanda believes the arts make a significant impact on her life. “The Arts are everywhere!” she says. “Musicals and plays not only teach me life lessons, but also expand my knowledge of history and vocabulary.” As to the importance of poetry for the 2014 Nebraska representative to the Poetry Out Loud national competition, Amanda states, “Poetry helps me break down and comprehend different situations and school tasks thrown my way. In understanding poems, I learned fresh, new takes on where words can take you. Words are powerful things that enable me to be confident.”
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| Katharen Hedges is a writer, performer and artist who works in 2D visual art and clothing design. But it was her work in poetry that earned her the spotlight in October. Hedges, a Lincoln North Star High School graduate and University of Nebraska-Lincoln student, has already started gaining recognition for her poetry. She was a member of North Star’s Louder Than a Bomb team—which was a finalist for the 2014 Louder Than a Bomb Great Plains Youth Festival—and in 2013, she was named the Festival’s Individual Champion. Her nominating coach, poet Matt Mason, said: “Katharen is a leader in the classroom who inspired her teammates on the North Star Louder Than a Bomb team. You see how really wonderful she is.” Hedges credits the arts with inspiring and motivating her to succeed. "I'd probably say art is the reason I'm passing school, art is the reason I'm in school, art is the reason I want to go to college,” she said. “If I didn't want to be a painter, or if I didn't write, I would have nothing that would make me want to go to college. The arts motivate me to work hard in school,” she added. NFTA members can nominate a student on our website. We are also seeking a sponsor for this program, allowing us to give a nice recognition gift to each monthly winner. Please contact us if you are interested in this opportunity.
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