The Seward Creative District has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council to support the launch of its Artists in Residence Program, a key initiative identified in the district’s strategic plan to strengthen arts programming and creative collaboration in Seward.
The program will invite artists from across the region and country to live and work in the district for two to six months, creating new artistic work while engaging with the community.
During their residency, artists will receive a stipend and studio space inside established creative businesses throughout the district, allowing them to immerse themselves in Seward’s creative community while developing new work.
“Receiving this $100,000 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council is an exciting step forward for Seward,” Mayor Josh Eickmeier said. “The Artists in Residence Program will bring new creative energy to our community while strengthening our downtown and quality of life.”
Throughout their residency, participating artists will engage in a variety of public-facing programs designed to connect their work with the community. Activities will include public open houses, artist talks in community forums, workshops, student mentorship opportunities, and public exhibitions that showcase the work created during their time in Seward.
Final exhibitions may feature individual work or collaborative projects between resident artists.
“This program creates meaningful opportunities for artists and the community to connect,” Jeanne Wiemer, president of the Seward Arts Council, said. “By welcoming artists to live and work in Seward’s Creative District, residents will experience workshops, conversations and exhibitions that make the arts more visible and accessible.”
In addition to supporting the Artists in Residence Program, the grant will help strengthen operations within the Seward Creative District by hiring a part-time executive director position. This role will be responsible for stewarding the district’s strategic plan, coordinating programming, building relationships with district businesses and artists, and expanding awareness of the creative district across the region.
The executive director will work with local creative businesses, artists and community partners to implement new initiatives, organize events and help ensure the long-term success and growth of the creative district.
The Seward Creative District is part of the statewide Nebraska Creative Districts Program, administered by the Nebraska Arts Council, which supports communities using arts and culture as a strategy for economic development, placemaking, and tourism.
The new Artists in Residence Program will further position Seward as a destination for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and visitors seeking authentic arts experiences in Nebraska.
For more information about the Seward Creative District and upcoming programming, contact Jeanne Wiemer at sewardcreativedistrict@gmail.com.
