Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
President Proposes Eliminating the NEA -Federal Update 
The White House released its proposed budget to Congress today, officially recommending full termination of funding of both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY2018. This is the first American President in history to propose zeroing out all funding for the nation's federal cultural agencies. 
Eliminating the NEA would be a devastating blow to the arts in America and Nebraska. Forty percent of the NEA's budget is distributed to local communities through state grants and direct grants. The Nebraska Arts Council designates 40% of its NEA funds for grant-making, using the remaining funds to support programs like Poetry Out Loud.
The NEA has expanded access to the arts for all Americans, awarding grants in every Congressional district throughout all 50 states and U.S. Territories as well as placing arts therapists in 12 military hospitals to help returning soldiers heal from traumatic brain injuries. The NEA is also an economic powerhouse, generating more than $600 million annually in additional matching funds and helping to shape a $730 billion arts and culture industry that represents 4.2% of the nation’s GDP and supports 4.8 million jobs.
This is just the beginning of the federal appropriation process - we now begin a concerted effort to convince Congress to #SaveTheNEA. To help you keep updated on the national-level issues affecting the arts, Americans for the Arts has an Arts Mobilization Center, with tools, resources, and information to help you make your case for the arts and arts education. 
Rally in Support of the National Endowment for the Arts
Join Nebraskans in celebrating the nationwide day of activism for the arts during NFTA's Arts Advocacy Day on March 21st.
Arts Advocacy Day is an opportunity to have your voice heard. Join forces with arts organizations and fellow citizens to emphasize the value of arts in your community. Reach out to elected officials to let them know the importance of supporting arts funding and positive arts legislation.
We are working with arts organizations across the state in providing opportunities for you to gather and share your support for the arts. Locations include:
1111 Jones Street, Omaha
Like a polling place, KANEKO will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 21 providing advocacy opportunities throughout the day. We will have stations set up for you to make a call, write a letter, send an email and share your support. Join us at 5:00 p.m. for a Community Celebration open house highlighting Omaha’s nonprofit arts organizations with performances, presentations, and information booths. https://goo.gl/c2m0g7
2500 S. 56th Street, Lincoln 
Lincoln Community Playhouse joins Nebraskans for the Arts in celebrating National Arts Advocacy Day on March 21st. The Playhouse will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for citizens to come and show their support for local arts programs, National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Arts Council. The Playhouse will have lists of representatives, arts advocacy information, sample letters, postcards and stamps available. There will also be a computer for email access to representatives.
412 Ella Street, Beatrice
Community Players will be open and hosting their advocacy event from noon to 5:30 p.m. for citizens to come and show their support for local arts programs, National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Arts Council. They will have letter writing and email stations.
301 E. 5th, North Platte
The North Platte Community Playhouse invites the public to celebrate National Arts Advocacy Day on March 21st with a tour of the Fox Theater and the Neville Center. Are you curious about what's "behind the curtain, where the props are stored, where sets are constructed and where costumes take form and more? A free tour is planned at 4:00 p.m.  Please call (308) 532-8559 to make reservations as the tour group is limited to 25.
106 East 18th Street, Scottsbluff
Theater West, The Midwest Theater, and West Nebraska Arts Center (WNAC) are co-hosting an afternoon of arts advocacy on March 21st.  The local event will take place in the Main Gallery at WNAC from 1:00-4:00 p.m. 
WNAC will open their facility as a gathering place for community members to access resources and tools for contacting their elected representatives.  Attendees can stop by to learn how to call, email, or send a letter to their elected representatives. Popcorn, soda, and other refreshments will be served. http://www.thewnac.com/arts-advocacy-day-321/
Keep up-to-date about Arts Advocacy Day by visiting NFTA's website, follow our @Neb4TheArts, #Neb4TheArts and #ArtsAdvocacy posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And listen for us on NET Radio's Friday LIVE on March 17th at 9:00 a.m. and on KIOS 91.5 Omaha Public Radio on Monday, March 20th at 8:45 a.m.
The Power of 40 
  • The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designates 40% of its fund to state arts agencies.
  • The Nebraska Arts Council designates 40% of its NEA funds to grants
  • The Nebraska Arts Council awards, on average, 400 grants per year.
  • If the NEA is eliminated, 40% of each Nebraska Arts Council grant would be eliminated.
Keep Track of Arts-related Bills at NFTA's Advocacy Page
Four bills that NFTA was monitoring in the Nebraska Legislature as having an impact on the arts were designated on the Priority Bill list. These bills are guaranteed to have debate by the end of the session. Learn more about a bill and why NFTA is monitoring it by clicking on it below.
Our E-Advocacy page is your source for tracking legislative ssues affecting the arts and arts education. We have listed bills of interest; clicking on the bill's link will take you to a synopsis of the bill and why we are monitoring it. You can find our E-Advocacy page by clicking HERE.
Forward this information to others you think would want to be an arts advocate.  

Bailee Laws Named Poetry Out Loud State Champion

Bailee Laws, a senior at Parkview Christian School in Lincoln, was named the 2017 Poetry Out Loud Nebraska State Champion. Laws, along with nine other students from high schools across the state, competed for the title on Saturday, March 11, at Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln.  Article
Become an Arts Advocate - Join Nebraskans for the Arts
Nebraskans for the Arts is the only statewide arts advocacy organization focused on expanding support for the arts and arts education. We can't do this alone - we depend on your financial support to keep our advocacy efforts, recognition programs like the NebraskARTS Award, and communications like this e-newsletter, going. JOIN NOW and help us share the importance of arts for better schools and better communities.
P.S. Join at the Friends or high level and you will receive a piece of art from a Nebraska artist with your thank you letter!
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