Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Latest news for the Nebraskans for the Arts
Federal Update - Congress Proposes Increasing NEA Funding in FY2019 
Over the past two weeks, both chambers of the U.S. Congress have recommended increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Both the House and Senate appropriations committees are recommending a $2 million increase for the FY2019 budget for a total of $155 million. This exactly matches the request you helped advocate for during events across Nebraska in support of National Arts Advocacy Day in March.  
What Happens Next 
Both bills are now readied for floor action and votes, which may occur later this summer. We will keep you updated on the timeline.  Looking ahead, Senate members will be home during the first week of August, while House members will be working in their districts the entire month.
Be sure to follow your Congressional members on social media and participate in events in your communities, sharing stories on how the arts impact you and your community.
Nebraska Arts Council Announces Spring 2018 Grantees, New MAP (Mapping the Arts Program)
The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) announced it most recent group of grant award recipients. Awards granted from November 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018 totaled $1,909,106 to support Nebraska artists, arts and nonprofit organizations, and schools. Click here for the full list of awardees.
Grant award funding is made possible by the NAC's leveraging of support from the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 
NAC has also created an online program for promoting events of it's grantees. Mapping the Arts Program (MAP) is an online map that allows you to learn about events throughout Nebraska. Select an organization or icon on the map and learn about events the organization is hosting.
Nebraska Cultural Endowment Releases Mission Update for 2017
The Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE) recently released "Mission Update for 2017" contains stories, infographics, and case studies that illustrate the powerful work that the arts and humanities have on Nebraskans and their communities. 
The first cultural endowment in the nation to sustain both the arts and humanities, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment is an innovative public-private partnership that supports projects across the state through Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council. NCE has given more than $11 million to the cultural vibrancy of our state over its 20-year history, including $1.1 million in 2017. Click Here for the "Mission Update for 2017" report. 

Here's an Opportunity Add Your Voice in Support of the Arts and Arts Education in Nebraska
What a year it’s been for advocacy! The National Endowment for the Arts received a funding increase, budget cuts to the arts were held to the bare minimum in the Nebraska Legislature, and we had some of our largest turnouts for advocacy events across the state.

Now,
we MUST keep the momentum going
. Elections are coming up this fall, and we want the voice of the arts heard amidst the debates. That’s the purpose of our voter and candidate education activities focused on the arts and how candidates feel about arts issues.

However, it takes money to pay for the efforts that goes into these activities.  
So we must ask --- may we count on you to be an arts organization member by June 30 to continue our work…
  • EDUCATING 2018 candidates for Congress, the Nebraska Legislature, State Board of Education and other elections
  • INFORMING  you where candidates stand on arts and culture issues before you cast your vote.
  • PROMOTING the value of the arts in a well-rounded education and how the arts increase the quality of life and community vitality.
  • WORKING for more advocacy wins next year.
With your support, we’ll be ready to capitalize on our success this year, and take on new challenges and opportunities.
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