Lincoln Arts Council

10/01/2026

We wrapped up a wonderful series of art classes with the terrific ladies (and gentleman!) at Lincoln Aging Partners this morning. This spirited group spent 6 hours over the last couple of weeks with Anna Alcalde and her staff from Urban Legends Art Studio- classes & Offsite art, creating these beautiful pieces using alcohol inks. Thank you to the Nebraska Arts Council's Creative Aging program for making this possible.

09/12/2026

The official Lincoln Arts Awards photos have arrived. Thank you, nikki moore photography! Congrats again to all the winners, sponsors, and everyone who was there to show their support, and to our emcees Christine Oppliger Weeks and Sean Flattery😎

Our winners: Zachary G. Watkins, Maria Nazos, Miky Semrad, Maddie Hinrichs, Eleanor Magilton, Erin J. Butcher, Del Whitman, Amber Camille Nore, Juan Rodriguez, Lindy Clausen, Larry Small, Lincoln Fashion, Urban Legends Art Studio- classes & Offsite art, MusicBox, and Promenade at Pioneers (HDR).

Our sponsors: Douglas & Mary Campbell, Margaret and John Stevens Berry, Judy Maupin, Julie & Fred Hoppe, Filament Essential Services, Larry Small, Clarity Financial LLC, ALLO Fiber Nebraska, Legacy Retirement Communities, Shive-Hattery, Ellen & Pat Beans, Bob & Lana Browne, Donna Dahlsten, BVH Architecture, and Clark & Enersen.

We can't wait to see you next year! 😍👏

08/27/2026

So many thank-yous to go around, but a special shout-out to the Lincoln Arts Awards sponsors, whose support and commitment to the arts make them true beacons in our community. Thank you to...

🏆 Douglas and Mary Campbell, Margaret and John Stevens Berry, Judy Maupin, Julie and Fred Hoppe, Filament Essential Services, Larry Small, Clarity Financial LLC, ALLO Fiber Nebraska, Legacy Retirement Communities, Shive-Hattery, Ellen and Pat Beans, Bob and Lana Browne, Donna Dahlsten, BVH Architecture, Ameritas, Eleanor Creative, Umbrella Photo Booth and Clark & Enersen. 🏆

08/27/2026

We might have had fun last night 😁

The Lincoln Arts Awards 2026 was so special. Thank you everyone, and bravo to our amazing winners!😍👏.

Thanks Umbrella Photo Booth for these priceless pics. We'll see you next year 🥂

08/24/2026

Last winner spotlight before the awards, which are in just two days! The Larry Enersen Urban Design Award has been awarded to two projects this year: MBX MusicBox and Promenade at Pioneers.

The Promenade at Pioneers reimagines a community garden site as an opportunity for first-time and mixed-income homeownership. The innovative development features twelve beautifully designed and constructed rowhomes at the foot of the Union College district. The project leverages various gap sources, including the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and tax-increment financing to deliver five (40%) of the units to households earning less than 65% of Area Median Income. The affordability of these specific units will be permanently protected by a community land trust, which will ensure that any future resales are to buyers with similar incomes.

The Music Box (MBX) is a new 1,200-square-foot downtown Lincoln music development venue featuring a state-of-the-art stage, LED video/light wall, and professional-level recording studio, designed as a low-barrier space for local musicians and artists to rehearse, record, and perform. Opened in April 2025 at 1330 N Street as the first major project of Lincoln’s Music District initiative, it also offers education and artist development programs through the MBX Academy and artist development program to help cultivate and support the local music community.

Congrats to all, and thank you to the award sponsor Clark & Enersen.

See you all on Wednesday!

08/20/2026

⭐ 4th Annual Wordstock⭐

✨Free books
✨Family fun
✨Food trucks
✨Carnival games

Saturday August 22nd, 2026, 10-1pm Antelope Park

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WORDSTOCK happens because our community shows up!!

A huge thank you to our generous WORDSTOCK sponsors for investing in literacy and helping us bring thousands of books, activities, and opportunities to connect to families across Lincoln.

Your support helps make it possible for more children and families to take books home and build a love of reading that lasts all year long.

We are so grateful to have you as part of the WORDSTOCK story!

08/20/2026

We posted about our Youth Award winner Eleanor 'L' Magilton yesterday. The award sponsor Filament Essential Services has made a video about her👏. Check it out! 🍿🎥

Congrats L, and thank you Filament!

08/19/2026

Rolling it back a few decades today! The winner of the Youth Award is Eleanor 'L' Magilton. The award recognizes an individual under the age if 21 who has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their artistic discipline.

Eleanor has been making art since she arrived on Earth in January 2015. She attends classes at The Lux Center, “Art Gang” by Jen Landis, and at the Makit Takit Craft Studio, where she is a “Makit Master.” In May 2026 her work was included in the Linked2Literacy ‘House on Mango Street’ Project Art Show, focused on themes of identity.

L has an art tutor, Natalie Henning, who helps her explore new styles and refine her skills every month. When asked to describe her work, L says, “I like to make OCs (original characters) that represent the LGBTQ+ community. I have different styles. One is cartoony while the other is realistic.” L mostly uses pencil, alcohol markers, and paint. L is attending Lefler Middle School in fall 2026 and hopes to attend the LPS Arts and Humanities Focus Program. She dreams of becoming an animator as an adult.

Congrats L!

08/17/2026

🎉Last call for Lincoln Arts Awards tickets!🥂
🚨Deadline is this Wednesday, August 19🚨

We'd love to have you join us next week to celebrate fourteen amazing individuals and organizations. There'll be delicious food, drinks, amazing auction prizes, lots of laughs...and maybe even a surprise performance!😁

📍Country Club of Lincoln.
🗓 Wednesday, August 26. Cocktails at 6, ceremony at 7.

🎊 We're honoring Dr. Maria Nazos, Maddie Hinrichs, Miky Semrad, Lindy Clausen, Erin J. Butcher, Larry Small, Amber Camille Nore, Juan Rodriguez, Zachary G. Watkins, Del Whitman, Lincoln Fashion, Urban Legends Art Studio- classes & Offsite art, Eleanor 'L' Magilton, MBX, and Promenade at Pioneers.

Congrats to all. See you there!!

Celebrate those who keep Lincoln Vibrant and Creative

08/17/2026

Three cheers for 3 amazing women and 1 amazing organization today -- Anna Alcalde, Kay Glenn, and Connie Haeffner, who own and run Urban Legends Art Studio- classes & Offsite art. Urban Legends Art Studio is this year's winner of our Outstanding Arts Organizations Award, which recognizes an arts group or organization that has made significant, sustained contributions to Lincoln's arts community over many years.

Their mission is to foster creativity, build community, and give back. ULAS encourages artists of all skill levels to explore their inner creativity and individuality through a wide range of hands-on activities, from ceramics and door art to resin jewelry and macrame.

Urban Legends inspires and connects people by providing a welcoming environment for public and private art parties and workshops. They have received many awards for their teaching strategies and for the healing success of creativity. ULAS is deeply committed to community outreach. They work off-site with senior facilities, CLC schools, Autism Family Network, and many nonprofits to bring adaptive art programs to individuals with disabilities and other needs.

Congrats to Urban Legends Art Studio and the award sponsor, BVH Architecture. A few tickets are still left if you want to celebrate with us next week...https://artscene.networkforgood.com/events/100181-lincoln-arts-awards-2026