 York Creative District, a Certified Nebraska Creative District identified by the Nebraska Arts Council, will receive $95,653 from the Nebraska Arts Council for improvements to enhance and support performing arts and public art in the Creative District. The grant project, called “Lights, Camera, Action,” will provide funds for stage lights, curtains, and sound system improvements in the City Auditorium and in Yorkshire Theater. The grant also provides funds for a new mural in the district. The grant for the project comes from a Nebraska Arts Council grant program that focuses on “nonpermanent improvements.” These are improvements, like curtains, lights, and sound systems, that are not funded by capital grants and are often too expensive to fit into operating budgets, and yet are of critical importance for recruiting and retaining performing arts programs and artists. Nebraska Arts Council Executive Director Mike Markey commented, “York Creative District contributes a great deal to advancement of the arts in York. We commend the work being done by organizations such as the York Creative District because the arts are important to the education and quality of life or all Nebraskans.”  Dr. Clark Roush, York Creative District Director, told the story of learning that the York Creative District won the grant at a Nebraska Arts Council meeting, “I was staring at my computer screen for my zoom board meeting when suddenly, on the PowerPoint slide on Nebraska Creative Districts, I saw that York was 1 of 10 out of 24 grant applicants to receive full funding. I almost jumped through the screen!” “This has been a wonderfully collaborative effort,” he continued. The auditorium was recently renovated to revive the building for community use. Those improvements included HVAC and physical improvements. This budget year, the City of York approved $55,000 for a new sound system, which is now in place in the auditorium. The auditorium hosts many community events, in addition to performing arts events. For example, about 7,500 visitors from surrounding small communities come to regional sports events at the Auditorium. The improvements from the grant will round out key improvements for performances and events at the renovated Auditorium. “Mayor Barry Redfern regularly challenges city staff to continue to expand and improve our use of this beautiful historic building,” said City Administrator, Dr. Sue Crawford. Cheree Folts, who manages the building as Director of Parks and Recreation, said “Receiving this grant enables us to enhance the City Auditorium by upgrading the state curtains and lighting. These improvements will expand our ability to host a wider variety of events that were previously above our reach.”  In her letter of support for the grant, Kirby Crawford, owner of Kirby’s School of Dance, and advisory board member of the York Creative District, wrote that her school of dance had flourished over the past 19 years to now serve over 250 students. Kirby’s Dance has held their dance recitals in the Auditorium for years. She indicated that in the past the studio had to bring in external lighting and sound equipment for the recitals. She also notes that the existing curtains hinder smooth transitions on and off stage for performances. Her letter explains, “Enhancing the lighting, sound, and curtain setup would not only elevate our students’ recital experiences, but also transform the auditorium into a venue equipped to attract a variety of performances and events. Mayor Redfern responded to the grant news with the following statement: “Great news on the York Creative District receiving this Nebraska Arts Council grant. I am so happy for the Yorkshire Playhouse and excited to see more improvements to the Auditorium. These things don’t happen on their own, thanks to the Advisory board and Dr. Clark Roush for his leadership.” Elise Owen, who serves on the York Creative District advisory board from Yorkshire Theater said, “We, at the Yorkshire Playhouse, are grateful and honored to be awarded this funding. As a small, volunteer run, community theatre, we understand the significance of every penny. Often, we make due with outdated equipment because ‘The Show Must Go On!.’ With the new grant-funded equipment, we will be able to properly light the entirety of our stage and will have the ability to create lighting special effects that, until now, have not been an option for us. Thank you to the Nebraska Arts Council and the York Creative District for this opportunity and support.” Larry Deal, from the Playhouse Foundation Board, explains that “For over 50 years the Yorkshire Playhouse has helped to serve the fine arts needs of the York community. The opportunity to upgrade our lighting, sound, and audio-visual technology will greatly support the artists and patrons of the Playhouse for years to come. Years of intrigue, song, joy and laughter will bless this community because of the state of Nebraska’s investment in the arts.” The Creative District grant includes funds to add a mural in the community. The previously completed mural project, supported by the initial Creative District grant from the Nebraska Arts Council, spurred over $5,000 in private donations to support the first mural and future murals in the area. Councilman Tony North, who serves on the Visual Arts Committee of the York Creative District, expressed his congratulations to everyone who has been working hard for the York Creative District. “It is very exciting to see the rapid progression of the York Creative District. The grant will allow for the Creative District to keep the momentum going that was created with the first mural project that has added a huge splash of color to downtown.”  The York Creative District strategic plan, created with community input to apply for Nebraska Arts Council designation, recognizes performing arts as a strength in York. York’s community theater, high school and York University all contribute to the opportunities for the expression and enjoyment of performing arts in our community. Surveys of residents, conducted as part of strategic planning, indicate an interest in more musical and comedy performances in our community. Dr. Roush, Director of the York Creative District, summarizing the impact of the grant, concludes “This grant is a pivotal component of necessary internal upgrades to the City Auditorium and the Yorkshire Playhouse, as well as continuing our mural work. The grant will make the Auditorium and the Playhouse significantly better and more professional performance spaces, and enhance their ability to be used as desired by those in charge of those spaces. I am so happy for our amazing city and blessed to be a small part of the ongoing work of the York Creative District.” To learn more about the York Creative District, a Certified Nebraska Creative District identified by the Nebraska Arts Council, visit https://www.yorkcreativedistrict.org. If you would like to get involved, contact Sue Crawford, Chair of the Involvement Committee ([email protected]). The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC), is a state agency that provides numerous grants, services and special initiatives that help sustain and promote the arts throughout Nebraska. NAC is supported by the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska Legislature and National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more visit artscouncil.nebraska.gov.  Comments are closed.
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