LB1072 passed: How it impacts cultural funding

• Access, Civic Engagement, Government, Statewide

Nebraska’s arts and humanities experienced a loss. But we’ve gained an even stronger advocacy network.

Now that the legislative session is closed, we can confirm the State of Nebraska has permanently removed $5 million from the $15 million Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund (CPEF). The CPEF is the State-managed public fund that matches up to $1 million in private donations to the Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE) each year.

This is a significant loss, but thanks to our steadfast and new advocates, we protected the remaining $10 million in the CPEF. This was originally proposed as a full sweep of the fund. Additionally, while the State had paused its annual match the past two years, it is approved to reactivate at the end of 2027 and is intended to be extended to 2032.

What does this mean for Nebraska’s arts and humanities funding?

Fewer dollars in the CPEF means reduced earnings to draw down for our grantmaking partners at the Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska.

What does this mean for Nebraska Cultural Endowment supporters?

If you have donated to NCE, your gift is protected in our private fund — the State cannot take it away, and it is still growing earnings to fund Nebraska’s arts and humanities.

We are hopeful the State stays true to its commitment of matching these private donations through 2032. This unique public-private partnership is what has helped Nebraska’s cultural funding stay strong throughout decades of economic and political highs and lows.

Despite this difficult time, we are all the more resilient thanks to our supporters.

We are especially grateful to Nebraskans For The Arts (NFTA), an advocacy organization completely dedicated to advancing the arts as essential to life and learning for all Nebraskans.

We are still working to determine the impact of this loss, and we will keep you closely updated. Here’s what you can do right now:

  1. Follow NCE updates on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
  2. Sign up for our e-newsletter
  3. Become an NFTA member to stay connected to and promote statewide advocacy efforts