Show off your Orangeman pride and come to the downtown Beatrice Pep Rally!

Thursday, September 8th, 2022.

https://www.biggivegage.org/Organization-Profile/Main-Street-Beatrice

Bringing Public Art to Beatrice

Beatrice continues to strive forward and positive things are happening! We are advancing plans for new public art projects to follow up on our two large downtown murals completed in 2020 and 2021. It is our hope that these mural projects are the start of continued art projects planned for the community and that they provide an uplifting attraction.

As part of our continued efforts to see downtown improved and in response to requests from the community, public art has continued to be a priority.  We hope these projects prove to be attractive visual assets that provide new ways to engage with residents and visitors alike!

Main Street Beatrice has worked to explore different forms of public art and plans to continue adding art to the community!

What Do We Want Within the Next Year? 

As we look ahead we are proposing several art projects that utilize the talents of multiple local artists. These projects may be placed in different locations downtown but will center on the alleys near the decorative portion of North 5th Street, between Court and Ella Streets. The art projects commissioned may include a variety of styles from painted mediums, decorative lighting, and the potential for 3-D works of art. Please see some of the concept ideas in our project photo gallery.

Main Street Beatrice has begun investing time and resources to start the process.  We have a short list of artists and will be drafting the necessary agreements (image licenses, art contracts, property owner approvals, etc.).  We expect to complete the next project phase in the summer of 2023.

The works of art will be selected based on the available budget and the concepts submitted by local artists through a request for qualifications process. All artists selected will receive fair compensation for their work and we will ensure their artwork will be accessible to the public for viewing.

Our Goal this Big Give Gage

The upcoming alley art project is expected to cost $15,000. Of that, we have raised or obtained pledges of support for around $11,000. This has come from private donations and local grant support. A special thanks to the Hevelone Foundation, Gage County Foundation, and community donations from Big Give Gage and other sources.

Our goal this Big Give day is to raise $4,000 to cross the finish line and begin these new downtown art projects. 

Help Us Get This Project Started

Your support will allow Main Street Beatrice to go beyond the mural projects and see additional art projects as part of our 2022/2023 public art plan and make a difference in our community!

Contact us with questions or with additional ideas!

Downtown Beatrice is chock-full of history and all you need to do to find it is walk! Check out this guide to the official historical markers in downtown Beatrice. Click download under the file preview and enjoy a lovely day exploring!

First, what is a Nebraska Creative Arts District? This program is run by the Nebraska Arts Council with legislation and funding passed by the Nebraska Legislature to strengthen arts as an economic driver and elevate the value of the arts in Nebraska. Designated districts will be well-defined geographic areas with a high concentration of creative resources and activities. The goals of the program include 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.  Many of these goals align with the goals of the National Main Street program which is why Main Street Beatrice has taken on the responsibilities of district administration. Main Street Beatrice has been working in partnership with the City of Beatrice, the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, and Community Players to move this district forward.

Once we have been given the designation, an initial $10,000 grant is given to the district that can help with marketing, hiring consultants, community enhancement projects, and putting on community events. After designation, we would have access to an annual grant program of up to a $250,000 each year that would be open to us for programming, physical enhancements, marketing, and to assist with administrative costs. These grants will be competitive and will not require local match.

Beatrice boasts a wealth of artistic people, businesses, and organizations in the proposed downtown district. When the program was being developed, Beatrice was used as an example of an ideal community to take advantage of the district designation and we are proud to be moving forward in the application process.

The application process is underway, we have submitted our letter of interest to the Nebraska Arts Council and have been given the green light to move forward with the application workbook. The 44-page workbook is mostly finished, and after the community informational meeting, we are much closer to be able to submit that workbook to the NAC. Our next steps include submitting the finished workbook, a district site visit, certification, and then the fun part, using the grant to improve our community.

To share your input via our survey, please click here!