First, what is a Nebraska Creative Arts District? This program is run by the Nebraska Arts Council with legislation and funding passed by the Nebraska Legislature to strengthen arts as an economic driver and elevate the value of the arts in Nebraska. Designated districts will be well-defined geographic areas with a high concentration of creative resources and activities. The goals of the program include encouraging business and job development, establishing the district as a tourist destination, preserving and reusing historic buildings, and promoting the district’s cultural and historical heritage. Many of these goals align with the goals of the National Main Street program which is why Main Street Beatrice has taken on the responsibilities of district administration. Main Street Beatrice has been working in partnership with the City of Beatrice, the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, and Community Players to move this district forward.
Once we have been given the designation, an initial $10,000 grant is given to the district that can help with marketing, hiring consultants, community enhancement projects, and putting on community events. After designation, we would have access to an annual grant program of up to a $250,000 each year that would be open to us for programming, physical enhancements, marketing, and to assist with administrative costs. These grants will be competitive and will not require local match.
Beatrice boasts a wealth of artistic people, businesses, and organizations in the proposed downtown district. When the program was being developed, Beatrice was used as an example of an ideal community to take advantage of the district designation and we are proud to be moving forward in the application process.
The application process is underway, we have submitted our letter of interest to the Nebraska Arts Council and have been given the green light to move forward with the application workbook. The 44-page workbook is mostly finished, and after the community informational meeting, we are much closer to be able to submit that workbook to the NAC. Our next steps include submitting the finished workbook, a district site visit, certification, and then the fun part, using the grant to improve our community.
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