Mary’s Story Ever since I was a child, storytelling has been a part of my life. Back then, it was an escape from getting into trouble—but usually the opposite happened. Having spent quite a bit of time in the coat closet at elementary school for “stretching the truth of a situation,” one would think I […]
Read ArticleBarbara’s Story I have no specific memory of an early decision to play music, no inspiring moment that changed my life, no one person who encouraged me to pursue music as a profession. Instead I remember the kindness of a long succession of church ladies who freely gave piano lessons to the pastor’s kids. I […]
Read ArticleLeonard’s Story From as far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer. Only in the second semester of my senior year as an undergraduate did my resolve begin to waiver. I had applied to law schools and to graduate schools in the classics, which was my major. I was fortunate: I […]
Read ArticleGreat news, Nebraska! We are pleased to share that we have received a $400,000 4:1 challenge grant from an anonymous donor that will help us reach our “All for the Match” campaign goal! To meet the conditions of the grant, we need to raise $1.6M over the next three years to match the increase in […]
Read ArticleSara Lihz’s Story I went to my first poetry reading the year I learned to drive. The host, an enthusiastic if a bit awkward man, was the most energetic thing behind the mic. I was determined to outdo him, so I read my poem about how much I hated my parents (I was 16) with […]
Read ArticleJoey’s Story I had the good fortune of being raised around music. My dad played the trumpet and had a band. He’d often have a rehearsal at the house and it was fun to hear the music coming from all the different instruments, and fun to see all the guys having a genuinely good time. […]
Read ArticleCharles’s Story The guiding principal for me is, “Hwendo na bua” which in my language, Fon, means, “Our culture and origin will not disappear.” I grew up in Benin; a small country in West Africa. In order to maintain strong family ties, and pass on history, values and traditions, my mother would bring her children […]
Read ArticleOur blog turns 1 year old this Wednesday! Each week for the past 52 weeks we have shared inspiring stories from real Nebraskans who are committed to ensuring a livelihood for the arts and humanities in our great state. In celebration, we will be holding contests all week long for tickets to cultural events and […]
Read ArticleJane’s Story My earliest political memory is of my father’s reaction to my uncle’s observation that he thought Robert Taft would be a good president. Daddy narrowed his eyes and slowly shook his head: “Taft was never a friend of the working man,” he growled. Born and raised in Saline County, my parents were staunch […]
Read ArticleAnn’s Story Creativity is my livelihood. I have several jobs. I am a professional musician (a classical pianist), a teacher, and an artistic director of a major performing arts center. I am lucky each of these jobs is centered on music and the arts and I am given a tremendous amount of freedom to be […]
Read Article