Arts NOW Grant Program

Students across Nebraska had access to projects in a wide range of arts through special grants awarded that year. The Arts NOW Grants were special one-time grant opportunities made possible by funding from the Nebraska Arts Council in partnership with the NDE and provided $180,000 to 23 school districts, impacting 79 schools throughout the state during the spring. The projects served more than 20,000 students.

“We’re excited to offer support to our Nebraska schools, arts educators, and kids who learn and participate in arts education programs,” said NDE Fine Arts Education Specialist Cody Talarico. The Arts NOW Grants differed from other arts grants by expanding the types of projects that were available. “This program will allow items to enhance arts instruction that don’t necessarily qualify for our other grant programs,” said NAC Program Specialist Anne Alston. The Arts NOW Grant program reflected the creativity and innovation of arts educators, as well as the ongoing need for arts education funding across the state.

The grant program was flexible and allowed for projects in all arts subjects, including media arts, visual arts, dance, music, and theatre. Some of the projects included printmaking in the visual arts classroom, world music drumming, learning lighting design and how to run light boards for theatre, the creation and installation of a school-wide public art mural, the study of world musical genres including instruments from various cultures, and the creation of visual art that was incorporated into a collaborative theatrical performance, among others.

Grants ranged from $1,341 to $20,000, with an average award of $7,816, and spanned all grade levels, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Some projects even crossed school divisions, with high school students working alongside middle school students to present projects to elementary school students.

Updated date: July 27, 2026