State has chance to leverage gift to benefit the arts

Residents and patrons of the McCook Public Schools wasted no time in raising the funds for new uniforms for the band program. That should send a clear signal to administrators and policy makers that the performing arts are important to the taxpayers of this community.

Our state legislature also has the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to the arts through LB1165. This bill is requesting to allocate $5 million to the State of Nebraska Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund. This is a one-time-only allocation. If passed, a private donor, Omahan Dick Holland, has pledged to match the allocation. The trust fund would be controlled by the state and would not leave the state treasury. Only the earnings on the fund can be spent. K-12 education will be the focus of the programs and projects made possible with the passage of LB1165.

This funding will affect communities statewide. McCook, as well as several other surrounding communities, have benefited from grants provided by the Nebraska Arts Council to sponsor artists-in-residence programs in the schools. Recent artists in the McCook Public Schools include Reginna Linnegar (storytelling & puppetry); Julia Noyes (artist); and Valery Williams (dance). Grants from Nebraska Arts Council have also helped support Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival and workshops in McCook.

According to their Web site, programs funded by Nebraska Arts Council grants reached over 70 percent of Nebraska's 92 counties. Funding for the arts does more than just provide programs and entertainment -- it enhances the quality of life for residents throughout the state. Because of the generous private pledge by Holland, investment in the arts through LB1165 makes sense and should be approved this year.