Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Advancing the Arts as essential to Life & Learning for All Nebraskans
State Arts Advocacy Day
Advocates from across Nebraska came to State Capitol February 13. This year's event had training, issue briefs, and attendees were able to cross the Rotunda to meet their senators. Thank you to everyone who participated and informing policymakers about the impact the arts have on our communities. 
Updates on Bills in the 2020 Unicameral 
There are several arts-related bill in the Nebraska Legislature. All have had successful public hearings:
LB943 - Creative Districts - This bill, sponsored by Senators Megan Hunt and Matt Hansen, gives the Nebraska Arts Council authority to develop a program for certifying areas in the state as creative districts and developing a grants program to support their activities.
LB942 - "Support the Arts" License Plates - A bill sponsored by Senator Hunt, would make an art-themed license plate available for purchase, with proceeds going to support communities that receive a creative district designation as proposed in LB943.
We encourage your continued communication with your state senator in suport for these bills; they could be incorporated into a priority bill and get passed this session. (Find your State Senator HERE).
LB422 - Art Therapist Licensing Act - This bill allows art therapists to be certified in the state to practice. A review of its need - a process known as a 407 review - is in its final stages by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. There is a hearing on March 3. 
You're Invited - Governor's Arts Awards
The biennial Governor's Arts Awards is Nebraska's premier event in recognizing individuals and organizations that shape our state's artistic landscape. The impact of the arts, and these honorees, is felt in the classroom, the economy and the community. The event is:
Friday, March 27  |  3:00pm, Rotunda
Nebraska State Capitol
Join Us in Advocacy - We Need You
We want to be your organization to advocate for the arts for all Nebraskans. We need your membership to support our programs, outreach and resources and build our capacity to be the voice for advocating for the arts in our state.
Please join us today and we will provide you opportunities like Arts Advocacy Day, reliable information and advocacy resources to help you continue being an effective arts advocate. 
State Finals
Sunday, March 8, 2020 @ 1:30pm
Sheldon Art Museum, Lincoln, NE 
Come enjoy and support high school students from across the state as they compete to be the state Poetry Out Loud champion and represent Nebraska at the national event. 
Here is a simple way for you to support our activities when you shop or eat - at no cost to you! Every purchase you make at participating businesses returns 5% to help advocate for the arts in Nebraska. 

For the fourth-straight year, the Trump Administration has proposed elimination of American's cultural agencies. This inlcudes the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Congress has consistently rejected this effort on the administration’s part in previous years, including our Nebraska delegation. But citizens must continue to share their stories with our representatives and senators about supporting the NEA.
Visit the Americans for the Arts' Arts Mobilization Center for tools, resources, and information on how to make a case for the arts and arts education at the federal level.

Congressmen Don Bacon and Adrian Smith invite all high school students in Nebraska Districts 2 and 3 to participate in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition (CAC).
This program recognizes and encourages artistic talent in our nation's youth.  The first place winner in each district will have his/her artwork proudly displayed by Congressmen Bacon and Smith in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
The Congressmen work alonside the Nebraska Art Teachers Association and local high schools to collect and evaluate the submissions. Submissions are due by March 20, 2020.
March 16 Deadline for NAC Grant Applications
The Nebraska Arts Council's online grant application portal is open to apply for grants.
You can find information about each grant category at the Nebraska Arts Council's website. If you’re unsure of where your project or organization best fits, please contact the NAC office (402-595-2122) and they will help guide you.
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