Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
State Arts Advocacy Day - Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Arts Advocacy Breakfast on February 13th. We had advocates and state senators participate in the breakfast, presentations and meetings throughout the day. Legislators and their staff learned from their constituents the importance of the arts in their districts.

State Finals

Sunday, March 11

1:30pm

Sheldon Art Museum

Lincoln, NE

Enjoy an afternoon of poem recititations by students from across the state at Nebraska's Poetry Out Loud State Finals. The winner of the state competition will be Nebraska's representative at the National Poetry Out Loud in April. The event is free and open to all to attend - no ticket required.
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.
Federal Update - NEA Proposed for Elimination Again in FY2019 
The National Endowment for the Arts continues to operate at current funding levels ($150 million) while Congress works to finalize funding as part of a new 2-year agreement.
In addition, President Trump has kicked off the FY2019 funding cycle with the release of his budget on February 12. His request repeats his plan to terminate the nation's cultural agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
We are closely monitoring this issue because of the importance of the NEA to the arts in Nebraska.  40% of the NEA's budget is distributed to local communities through state grants and direct grants. NEA funds make up 35% of the Nebraska Arts Council budget for grant-making.
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 for the NEA 
March 10-13, 2018 | Locations across the state
We are again mobilizing the voices of Nebraskans in support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Grassroots events across our state are being organized around National Arts Advocacy Day to provide you the opportunity to have your voice heard about the importance of the arts.
Last year's inaugral rally included six locations across the state, with over 450 people partcipating in advocacy opportunities such as letter templates, email stations, and phone banks for contacting elected officials. 

This year's rally locations so far include:
  • KANEKO - Omaha
  • Student Campus Rally - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Midwest Theater - Scottsbluff
  • Family Arts Festival - Kearney
  • Community Players - Beatrice
Watch your inbox and social media for more details about these events. If you would like to hold a rally at your arts location, please contact doug@nebraskansforthearts.org (402-595-2125) to learn how to participate and to receive a promotion toolkit.
Be a part of our statewide effort to build support for the arts and culture in Nebraska.
Here's an Opportunity to Voice Your Support for Arts Education in our Schools 
We invite you to celebrate Youth Arts Month and the amazing opportunities Nebraska students have to learn through the arts in our schools.
We believe that the Fine Arts play a vital role in providing a well-rounded education. The arts are included as part of a “Well-Rounded Education” in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) law. This designation - alongside reading, math, science, and other subjects - is confirmation that the arts are essential to a complete education and belong in the main instructional day. 

The next Nebraska State Board of Education meeting is on Friday, March 2. At this meeting we will have three speakers who will be asking the Board for the following:
  • Develop a philosophy statement on the importance of Fine Arts education in Nebraska schools, to help lead the revision process of the Fine Arts Standards slated for 2020.
  • Request the development a model pilot school(s) where arts integration supports student growth in all disciplinary areas.
This meeting has very limited time allocated for public comment. Here are two ways you can have an impact:
  1. We encourage you to provide written letters of support to share your stories about the importance of the Fine Arts. All letters will be compiled and submitted together to the board during the public comment. Send your letters by Feb 28th to: advocacy@nebraskansforthearts.org
  2. Please join us in showing your support of Fine Arts Education by being an audience member at the:
Nebraska Department of Education Board Meeting
March 2, 2018        9:00a.m.
Nebraska Board Meeting Room , 6th floor
301 Centennial Mall S, Lincoln, NE 68508
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