Freedom 250 Nebraska Celebrations

We’re celebrating two huge milestones in 2026!

The Nebraska Arts Council is honored to join the state and nation for Freedom 250, marking the nation’s 250 years . In addition, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Nebraska Interstate-80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project! This page is home to Freedom 250 events and celebrations throughout the state, including those in our Nebraska Creative Districts, as well as sculpture gardens in Nebraska.

List of Freedom 250 events hosted by the Nebraska Arts Council.

If you would like to submit your community’s celebration or sculpture garden, click the button below. Note: If you are submitting both an event and sculpture garden, please submit them separately.

If you would like to learn more about Freedom 250 events/sculpture gardens or the I-80 Bicentennial Sculpture, click on of the drop down menus below.

Submit your Freedom 250 Event

Events and Sculpture Map

I-80 Sculptures 

Westbound

  • Nebraska Wind Sculpture by George Baker (Kearney)
  • Nebraska Gateway by Anthony Padavano (Brady Rest Area Westbound)
  • Crossing the Plains by Bradford Graves (York)
  • Up/Over by Linda Howard (Roscoe)

Eastbound

  • Erma’s Desire by John Raimondi (Grand Island)
  • Memorial to the American Bandshell by Richard Field (Platte River Rest Area)
  • Arrival by Paul Von Ringelheim (Blue River Rest Area)

Freedom 250 Events

Nebraska Sculpture Gardens

STUDENT PUBLIC ART DESIGN CHALLENGE

My Nebraska, Our America Public Art Design Challenge is an exciting educational project for Nebraska students. It is made possible by a partnership between the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Department of Education, and the Semiquincentennial Commission. The Design Challenge includes a lesson toolkit and guidelines for teachers to submit student public art designs that will be featured on the website. Selected artwork will also be included in a traveling art exhibit at the State Capitol (July), the Museum of Nebraska Art (August), and the Nebraska Department of Education (September).

I-80 Sculptures

In 1976 during the United States Bicentennial, Nebraskans commissioned a series of modernistic sculptures for the rest stops of Interstate 80. These sculptures were meant to inspire reflection of the country’s past and curiosity about where it was headed.

More than one hundred artists competed for a coveted slot along the interstate, but only eight were chosen. Each artist was then provided studio space in a community near their artwork’s final location.

The final pieces have inspired many a conversation over their meaning, but one thing can be agreed upon for sure: they’ve left an impact on the people of Nebraska and all who pass through.

The following video links provide a look into the artists creating and installing their work, as well as some of the conversation by legislators and interested community members, courtesy of History Nebraska: 500 Mile Sculpture Garden Pt. 1, 500 Mile Sculpture Garden Pt. 2