The Seward Arts Council is working toward a Nebraska Creative District designation, which could help the community earn grants of up to $250,000 to support the arts.
Jeanne Wiemer, president of the Seward Arts Council, asked the Seward City Council to authorize a memorandum of understanding May 2 that would allow the City of Seward to serve as the fiscal agent for funds through the Nebraska Creative District Program.
“It utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts,” Wiemer said, quoting the program’s website.
The arts council is working with the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership to apply for the designation, which could lead to grants ranging in amounts from $10,000 to $250,000, she said.
“It’s very valuable to Seward in this regard,” Wiemer said. “To promote arts and culture – that’s one of the pillars of the SCCDP.”
Wiemer said she has been working toward Seward becoming a Creative District through the Nebraska Arts Council for the past 12 years.
Nine other Nebraska communities already hold the designation, including Ashland, Beatrice, Benson, Brownville, Cozad, Norfolk, North Platte, Red Cloud and Sidney.
“This will be very beneficial in continuing to grow the arts and culture here,” she said.
