NAC will be holding its 2nd annual Creative District Assembly in Norfolk on Friday, September 12th!
The Creative District Assembly is an annual event that will be held in a Creative District in Nebraska each year. The goals of the Assembly include bringing together district representatives to learn from each other and presenters and highlighting creative community endeavors.
Learn more about programs and services from our reginal partner Mid-America Arts Alliance, learn how to integrate arts education in your district, and hear from a panel from the River Point Creative District about how to work with your local government
Please click the Green Buy Now button to purchase your Registration and then fill out the form below and hit the Blue Submit Button.
The Lodge in Norfolk has set aside a block of rooms for participants of the assembly.
The hotel is located on the far west end of Norfolk, 4200 W Norfolk Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701. Check in will begin at 4pm. Check out will be at 11am the day of departure.
Book rooms under the Creative District Conference to receive a special rate before Friday August 15, 2025.
Call The Lodge at 402-379-3833
OR
Book online at https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/WQ25U2
All Day: Whitewater Park
Description: Experience Nebraska’s first whitewater park! There are seven whitewater drop features in the river, including one river surfing feature. The Whitewater Park is open year-round, from dawn to dusk.
More information can be found here.
For information on renting equipment, visit the website.
All day Artist Pop up
Location: 320 Norfolk Ave
Description: Local & regional artists
4:00 pm River Point Creative District (RCPD) Tour
Guide: Kara Weander-Gaster
Location: Meet at RiverPoint Square: 301 W Norfolk Ave
2:00 pm NAC Council Quarterly Meeting
Location: Norfolk Arts Center, 305 N 5th St
4:00 pm River Point Creative District Tour
Guide: Kara Weander-Gaster
Location: RiverPoint Square, 301 W Norfolk Ave.
Description: Explore the highlights of the River Point Creative District! Hear Norfolk’s downtown revitalization, the renovation of Whitewater Park, see their collection of murals, and learn about their annual sculpture walk!
5:30 pm Norfolk Arts Center Exhibit Opening
Featuring Kim Darling and Shannon Olson
Location: Norfolk Arts Center, 305 N 5th St
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Location: Veterans Memorial Field, 309 N 5th St.
Description: Join a 110-flight stair climb in memory of the responders lost on 9/11, those lost before, and those lost after. $10 registration. Police, fire & military are free. More information can be found here.
6:00 pm Artist Talk by Kim Darling
Location: Norfolk Arts Center, 305 N 5th St
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Dave Merkle in Concert
Location: District Event Center Patio, 216 W Norfolk Ave
Description: Enjoy live music and a refreshing drink in downtown Norfolk. This will be a great way to connect with your fellow creative districts and truly immerse yourself in the River Point Creative District!
7:00 pm Sketch Club, Open Mic Night, and Open Studio
Location: 126 N 4th St., Fourth Street Gallery Space
Description: Song writers, poets, performers and writers – come all! If it can be heard through a mic, it’s wanted here. Every Thursday at 7:00pm
All day Artist Pop up
Location: 318 Norfolk Ave
Description: Local & regional artists
8:30 am REGISTRATION & COFFEE
Location: District Event Center Patio, 216 W Norfolk Ave
WELCOME
10:30 am Peer Exchange
Facilitator: Carris Adams & Kathy Liao from Mid-America Arts Alliance
Description: Let’s talk about it. What are your successes? Your challenges? What do you need to make your community thrive. Carris and Kathy will lead us through a facilitated dialogue to hear what’s happening in your community
11:30 am Break
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Programs and Resources from Mid-America Arts Alliance
Presenter: Kathy Liao from M-AAA
Description: MidAmerica Arts Alliance is the regional arts organization for Nebraska. They provide grants and programs that support artists and organizations in our state. Learn more about their offerings and how it can support your district.
1:30 pm Arts Education in YOUR Creative District!
Description: Hear from your peers about how they are integrating arts education into their Creative District to create vibrant communities, enhance workforce development, and support the next generation.
2:00 pm Working with Your Local Government
Facilitator: Kara Weander-Gaster
Panelists: Angie Stenger, Northeast Nebraska Growing Together; Traci Jeffrey, Visit Norfolk
Description: One of the common questions we hear is: What is the best way to set up the Creative District management? Our answer? What works best for your community! Hear from a panel from the River Point Creative District about how their management is structured.
3:00 pm Taste of the Districts
Description: Bring a snack or beverage that is unique, represents, or is made/consumed in your Creative District. Dips and salsas, chocolates and candies, pastries and chips, hometown favorites and treasured exports are welcome. Bring enough to share with approximately 70 people.
NOTE: You are responsible for taking home leftovers!
3:45 pm Closing & Wrap up
Presenters: Mike Markey & Rachel Morgan, Nebraska Arts Council
Description: Let’s take a few minutes to talk about next steps, what’s coming up next year, and takeaways from the Assembly.
4:15 pm River Point Creative District Walking Tour
Guides: Kara Weander-Gaster, River Point Creative District; Angie Stenger, Northeast Nebraska GrowingTogether
Description: Explore the highlights of the River Point Creative District! Hear Norfolk’s downtown revitalization, the renovation of Whitewater Park, see their collection of murals, and learn about their annual sculpture walk!
4:15 pm NAC Office Hours
Description: Want to talk to the NAC staff about potential projects, grant programs, or ideas? We’re here!
*Green eclipses indicate free parking areas
We are looking forward to seeing you in Norfolk! Here is what you need to know about health, comfort, and accessibility at the conference.
Accessibility Contact: If you have any questions or concerns about conference accessibility before or during the conference, please contact:
Joshua Brown – Joshua.brown@nebraska.gov
Office: 402-595-3940
Cell: 402-517-6783
ASL and Audio Description – If you need ASL interpretation or audio description at the conference, please let us know no later than September 1st.
Alcohol – While alcohol will not be provided at the conference, several events take place at venues where alcohol is served and may be consumed by attendees.
Attire – Business casual and comfortable. We encourage attendees to express their personal style. If participating in any excursions, we encourage comfy walking shoes and weather-appropriate attire, as several sites have outdoor features. Don’t forget to bring your business cards and be prepared to meet new people! There will be attendees from across the state and lots of new friends in the field to make.
COVID health and safety – Masking will not be required at the conference. If you feel sick, please stay home – we will have important conversations at the conference, but nothing we’ll discuss is more important than your health and the safety of those attending.
Weather contingencies – All our sessions will be indoors, but this is Nebraska. Extreme weather events happen here. If the weather threatens to disrupt the conference, we will reach out via email to let you know about any changes to our planned events.
Walking Tour – On Thursday and Friday afternoons, the River Point Creative District will host a walking tour of the district. The sidewalks are in good condition along the route. If you have any access needs related to the walking tour, please contact Joshua Brown (contact information above).
Sessions – For more information about sessions and the events, follow this link:
2025 Creative District Assembly Agenda
Sessions, lunch, and the keynote address will take place on Friday at the District Events Center in downtown Norfolk. There are several optional events on Thursday, and we have included access details about the Norfolk Arts Center, which will feature an artist talk. We have done our best to anticipate and accommodate your access needs, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to let us know what you need, and we will make reasonable accommodation.
District Events Center – 216 W Norfolk Ave
Physical accessibility – The main entrance is located on the south side of the building, and it is wheelchair accessible. The venue is in the middle of the block and the curb cuts are located at the ends of the block. The doors are unpowered – call 402-517-6783 if you need help with the door.
The curb cut is located at 2nd and Norfolk.
The main entrance is located on the building’s south side, and it is pictured above.
Technology & Wi-fi – Wi-fi is available at no cost. Use the District Events Center network, and the password is allo6009. Access to power outlets will be limited, so please plan accordingly.
Food and Drink – Lunch will be provided at the District Events Center on Friday by Taylor Made Catering. Options will include Chicken Salad Sandwiches on a Croissant or pulled pork sliders with either cheesy potatoes or macaroni salad as a side, as well as a fruit cup. If you have any dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) or food allergies, please let the access contact know – the caterer is prepared to make accommodations.
We will be holding the Taste of the Districts on Friday afternoon. Each district is responsible for bringing something to share with approximately 70 people. Districts are responsible for sharing information regarding ingredients and possible allergens.
Coffee, water, and pasteries will be provided during the registration on Friday.
Here is a list of additional places to eat in Norfolk.
Bathrooms – Bathrooms are accessible and are located near the north side of the assembly hall.
Parking –
Accessible Parking
There are accessible parking spots located west of the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department building at the intersection of 2nd and West Norfolk Avenue and west of Paulyn’s Dance Studio at 3rd and West Norfolk Avenue. If you would like to reserve one of these spots, call the accessibility contact by September 1st.
Spot on the east side of 2nd and West Norfolk Avenue
Spot on the east side of 3rd and West Norfolk Avenue
General parking
General parking is available on the street in the downtown area and in designated free parking areas provided by the City of Norfolk. Look for a green circle with a “P” to identify city lots. See the next page for details.
Norfolk Arts Center – 305 N 5th Street, Norfolk NE 68701
West Entrance
East Entrance
Physical accessibility – Curbs are cut at the intersections of 5th and Prospect Avenue and 5th and Braasch Avenue to the east of the Arts Center. Both the east and west entrances have power doors.
Bathrooms – Bathrooms are accessible and located in the main corridor.
Technology & Wi-fi – Wi-fi is available at no cost. Use the Norfolk_Art_Center_Guest network or Norfolk_Art_Center_2ghz network. The password for both networks is NACguest.
Food and Drink – Food and drink will not be provided by the Nebraska Arts Council at this event, but water bottle filling stations are available at the Arts Center.
Parking – Accessible parking is available near the west entrance in the main parking lot. If you would like to reserve one of these spots, please contact the Access Coordinator.
