Who Gets to Be Called an Artist?
By Lance Nielsen When we hear the word artist, many of us picture someone standing in front of a canvas or pottery wheel. Maybe we imagine a musician on a […]
The Long History of Advocacy: Voices That Changed Society
Advocacy is not a modern invention. Long before hashtags, press conferences, and organized campaigns, people were speaking up for justice, fairness, and the common good. Across civilizations and centuries, advocacy […]
The Advocacy Map Has Shifted: Nebraska Must Raise Its Voice in Washington
Since January, Nebraskans for the Arts has worked shoulder to shoulder with advocates across our state to ensure that arts and culture remain visible in our schools and our communities […]
Creativity, Connection, and the Classroom
Creativity, Connection, and the Classroom: Research Insights on School and Community Arts Partnerships By Lance Nielsen The month of March is a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating Arts Education. […]
What’s Behind the Numbers?
Permission to reprint by author, Bob Morrison The Number: 67.5% by Bob Morrison, Arts Education Data Project On its own, a number like 67.5% does not actually tell us very much. Is […]
Light Returning: What Ancient Traditions Teach Us About Creative Practice
The winter solstice, occurring around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. For many ancient cultures, this turning point symbolized the […]
What Dogs Can Teach Us About Loyalty, Love, and the Art of Connection
by Lance Nielsen I am a proud dog dad! I love how Coco, my English Bulldog, makes me feel, and the fact that she is extremely calm, chill, and tolerant […]
The New Culture War: What We Stand to Lose
by Dr. Lance Nielsen In America today, a new kind of culture war is being waged, one not of ideas or identity, but one aimed squarely at the institutions that […]
Why Showing Up for the Arts Matters More Than You Think
There’s something uniquely joyful about spending a summer evening listening to live music in the park, strolling through a local art gallery walk, or watching a community theater production come […]
Using the Power of Policy
Using the Power of Policy: How the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 Fuels Arts Advocacy By Dr. Lance Nielsen, NFTA Executive Director When we […]