LUX Center for the Arts, Nebraska Wesleyan University, First United Methodist Church and the City of Lincoln submitted an official letter with the Nebraska Arts Council to establish the University Place Arts District in the University Place neighborhood in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is the first official letter submitted to create an arts district in Lincoln.
Together, these four organizations are working toward creating a destination that elevates and expands the artistic identity of the University Place neighborhood as well as providing economic opportunities for artists and residents.
“We are excited and enthusiastic about the possibilities for a creative arts district in the University Place neighborhood and community,” says LUX Executive Director Joe Shaw. “The LUX was originally founded to help revitalize the University Place neighborhood. As we enter our 45th year, we feel we are poised to create new economic opportunities for artists and for the residents of the community. We are thankful to all of our partners who will work to help make this designation happen.”
If the letter of intent is approved, then the University Place partners will begin the work of an eligibility assessment and creating a strategic plan. With an approved 5-year designation from the Nebraska Arts Council, the University Place Arts District would be able to apply for grants of up to $250,000 a year from a fund allocated by the Legislature to support creative arts districts statewide. These grants and further grants will be used for marketing, events, infrastructure improvements, and projects that would support the artistic development of University Place.