The mission of the Nebraska Arts Council is to promote, cultivate, and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. The Council endeavors to build creative leadership in the arts, forge partnerships to expand arts opportunities, cultivate resources needed to sustain the arts, establish the arts as fundamental to education and lifelong learning, use the arts as a catalyst for understanding among cultures, and advocate for increased awareness and access to the arts.
The Artists in Schools/Communities (AiS/C) Grant program aims to support interactive sessions between artists and participants through online or in-person formats. These sessions focus on sharing artists' expertise via creative and educational demonstrations, performances, or guided arts activities across various disciplines. Grant seekers can apply for funding to cover artist fees for either a short-term visit program or a longer residency. This program supports a wide range of artistic disciplines and requires no matching funds for the grant, covering the full artist fee up to $1,650. New policies have adjusted the format and safety requirements for sessions due to the pandemic, emphasizing virtual or outdoor activities unless in a school setting, where specific health guidelines must be followed. The grant covers artists' fees but not additional costs like travel, accommodation, or materials, which are the sponsor's responsibility.