Nebraska Arts Council Creative Development Grant, (Nebraska Arts Council, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Arts Council recently awarded Development Grants for FY25 to Nebraska Creative Districts. The grants are available to all certified Creative Districts and are made possible through an appropriation from the State of Nebraska.
The purpose of the Development Grant is to provide funds to the Creative Districts of Nebraska for projects that focus on creating significant cultural tourism and economic development. Projects supported by the funds must demonstrate the potential to attract visitors, create jobs, attract or retain young people, and revitalize Nebraska communities.
Applications for the over $1 million in grants came from 17 Creative Districts across the state. With the available funds, the Arts Council was able to fund 13 Development Grants to the following Creative Districts:
- Auburn Creative District, Auburn: $100,000
- Falls City Creative District, Falls City: $100,000
- Grand Island Creative District, Grand Island: $100,000
- Heartbeat Creative District, Hastings: $100,000
- The Bricks Creative District, Kearney: $100,000
- UNI Place Creative District, Lincoln: $96,890
- Nebraska City Creative District, Nebraska City: $100,000
- Dundee Creative District, Omaha: $100,000
- Benson Creative District. Omaha: $100,000
- Valley County Creative District, Ord: $100,000
- Oshkosh Creative District, Oshkosh: $100,000
- Ralston Hinge Creative District, Ralston: $100,000
- Seward Creative District, Seward: $100,000
Some of the projects made possible by this grant program include the creation of the Stone Street Amphitheater & Park in Falls City; public art in Auburn, Grand Island, Dundee, and Hastings; an Artist-in-Residence Program in Seward; and the funding of six Creative District Coordinators in Kearney, Lincoln, Grand Island, Dundee, Valley County, and Seward. The planned projects will have significant impact on tourism and economic development in each district and their surrounding communities.
“We’re excited to support the Creative Districts and see the economic growth these projects will bring to their communities,” reports Rachel Morgan, Program Specialist at the Nebraska Arts Council.
The Nebraska Creative District Program was created through legislation in 2020 to utilize the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts. Creative Districts are designated cultural and economic areas where innovation flourishes and neighborhoods come together in the name of art. They provide significant economic impact by creating purposeful spaces like art galleries, theatres, and music venues.
For more information on the Creative District program, please visit our website at https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/.
