The 15-member Nebraska Arts Council (NAC), appointed by the governor, is empowered to receive federal and state funds and to plan and administer statewide and special programs in all the arts. Funds are available for arts education, organizational support, multicultural arts projects, special arts-related programs, touring, and fellowships. Affiliation with the Mid-America Arts Alliance allows the council to help sponsor national and regional events. In 2003, the NAC and other Nebraska arts organizations received grants totaling $863,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Nebraska Humanities Council, founded in 1972, sponsors two annual festivals: The Great Plains Chautauqua and the Nebraska Book Festival. In 2000, the National Endowment for the Humanities contributed $687,812 to seven programs in the state.
The Omaha Theater Company for Young People sponsors a number of theatrical performances as well as the Omaha Theater Ballet Company. The Omaha Symphony was founded in 1921, and Opera Omaha was founded in 1958. The Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln sponsors a wide variety of dance, theater, and musical programs.
The biennial Great Plains Film Festival serves as a showcase for film and video artists from the heartlands of both the U.S. and Canada. It is staged at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
The state of Nebraska supports over 20 major art museums and art centers, 15 professional orchestras and ensembles, dance companies, opera, and theaters, and maintains over 100 local arts presenters, community theaters, and volunteer exhibition spaces.