The Western Trails Creative District led by Keith County Area Development (KCAD) was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.
Nebraska Creative Districts must submit a letter of interest, an Eligibility Assessment, and a Strategic Plan as part of the approval process. Goals can include attracting artists and creative enterprises, encouraging business and job development, establishing the district as a tourist destination, preserving and reusing historic buildings, and promoting the district’s cultural and historical heritage. Once certified, a district can apply for a Nebraska Arts Council Development Grant in the maximum amount of $250,000.
The Western Trails Creative District plans to develop impactful art projects throughout the district boundaries in Ogallala and will work diligently to leverage grant dollars to help make these projects a reality. This certification process has taken a little over a year and included outreach efforts in the form of business visits and a public input survey. Any Ogallala residents interested in being a part of the Creative District efforts, please contact Molly Jeffres at the KCAD office (308) 284-6623, as KCAD is the District Administrator.
In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.
For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/ or call the office at 402-595-2122.