MCC Powwow
About
Nebraska Arts Council aspires to positively impact the lives of Nebraskans through the power of art. We provide programming, grants, and opportunities to foster creative innovation statewide.
Formed in 1974 by an act passed in the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Arts Council is comprised of 15 board members appointed by the Governor of Nebraska. Together, the board and staff partner with the State of Nebraska, National Endowment for the Arts, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment—a unique partnership among the state and private contributors.
Mission:
To promote, cultivate and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. In doing so, the Nebraska Arts Council provides grants and services to artists, organizations, and communities that:
- Build creative and proactive leadership in the arts.
- Forge partnerships that create and expand opportunities for the arts.
- Cultivate new resources needed to sustain the arts in Nebraska.
- Establish the arts as basic to education and lifelong learning.
- Use the arts as a catalyst for understanding among cultures.
- Advocate for increased awareness and access to the arts.
Every three years, Nebraska Arts Council engages in a strategic planning process to create a dialogue with Nebraska’s cultural community and to align our efforts with the needs and priorities of the arts in our state.
Read the Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 based on Nebraskans’ valuable input.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Approximately one-third of Nebraska Arts Council’s operations and grant offerings are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
The NEA exists to foster, preserve, and promote excellence in the arts, bring art to all Americans and provide leadership in arts education. The NEA is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts – providing support to all 50 states and six U.S. jurisdictions.
Nebraska Cultural Endowment
Nebraska Cultural Endowment represents a unique partnership between the State of Nebraska and the people of Nebraska. Its funding enables support of arts and humanities programs in Nebraska beyond what is available through Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska.
Nebraskans for the Arts
Representing arts organizations and individual members across the state, Nebraskans for the Arts advises policy makers, elected officials, and community leaders on the importance of strong arts education in our schools, the economic impact of the arts in our communities, and the benefits of pro-arts policies for Nebraska.
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Founded in 1972, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, a nonprofit regional arts organization, brings more art to more people through partnerships with the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Nebraska Arts Council board member minutes are available to the public per the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.
The Council Board is made up of volunteers appointed by the governor.
Shari Hofschire, Chair – Omaha
Brian Botsford- Kearney
Zack Cheek – Omaha
Brenda Davis – Beatrice
Crystal Dunning – Lincoln
Jon Gross- Lincoln
Karen Harris – York
Julie Jacobson- North Platte
Tim Jeffrey- Omaha
Clark Kolterman- Seward
Jeanne Salerno- Omaha
Lori Williams- Norfolk
L. James Wright- Omaha
Next set of panels will take place in the Fall with the 2025 Spring Set Deadline Grants.
Here is where you can see when we are holding each panel and where to stream it. All of our meetings will be streamed on the NAC YouTube channel.
- Art Project Grant (APG) Day 1: Tuesday, November 18th
- APG Day 2: Wednesday, November 19th
- Arts Learning Grant (ALG): Thursday, November 20th
2025 Board Meetings
March 4: Hybrid- In person and Virtual (hosted at the NAC Offices)
June 10: In Person (hosted at the NAC Offices)
September 11: In Person (location TBD)
December 9: Virtual (hosted at the NAC Offices, streamed on YouTube)
View below the latest board meeting that took place on 09/11/2025.
When you accept grant funds, you agree to acknowledge the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment in all advertising, news releases, printed programs, and other promotional materials. In addition, both logos must appear in any related materials that feature logos of supporting organizations or businesses.