The Lincoln Arts Council has paused operations due to fiscal issues, but a board member says it intends to return after an assessment and reorganization period.
“We have no intention of shutting down like everyone is saying,†said LAC board member John Badami. “We are making an assessment. We want to be sure we’re meeting all the commitments we already have and find ways to move forward.â€
The nonprofit arts council, which has increased its programming over the past few years, including taking on the Lincoln Calling music festival this year, essentially ran out of cash sufficient to sustain its programs and staff, he said.
That led the board last week to suspend its ongoing programs, put a halt on some future contracts and temporarily lay off staff members, Badami said.
Troy Gagner, who had served as the council's executive director since October 2021 and oversaw the council’s takeover of Lincoln Calling, resigned Oct. 7.
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The pause has suspended the council’s upstArt program, which provides afterschool and communitywide art programming, and put in limbo its traditional major events, including the annual Mayor’s Arts Awards and Lincoln Arts Festival.Â
If, how and when any of those programs resume will be determined during the assessment and reorganization, Badami said.
For now, as it does the assessment and reorganization, Badami said, the arts council isn’t, as has been rumored, flat broke.
"The good news is we’ve got enough money to meet our obligations now," he said. "We hope to get back to a position where we can operate like we have been.â€
The arts council expects to release more information about the pause and plans for the immediate future in the next week, Badami said.
According to its most recent tax filing, which was from 2022, the arts council had revenue that year of about $645,000 and expenses of about $537,000, producing about $108,000 of income.
Salaries, including about $61,000 for Gagner, made up about 37% of its total budget that year.
The arts council reported about $540,000 in assets at the end of 2022.
The organization, which receives some city funding along with donations from local businesses and patrons, has met with the mayor’s office about the pause and reorganization.Â
The city provided $110,609 in general fund dollars to the Lincoln Arts Council in the most recent contract, which just expired. City officials have not yet finalized the current year's contract and have requested more information from the board about the organization's financial situation before determining their next step, Chris Triebsch, chief city communications officer, said Tuesday.
Visitors take in the sights and various booths on display during the Lincoln Arts Festival on Canopy Street in June. The Lincoln Arts Council, which organizes the festival, paused its operations last week.
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60+ pieces of public art in Lincoln
Torn Notebook
"Torn Notebook,"Â by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, at the corner of 12th and Q streets, is one of the public art masterworks in Lincoln.Â
Reflection
The sculpture "Reflection," by Albert Paley, is located at Ninth Street and Salt Creek Parkway. The sculpture previously was on display in New York as part of the "Paley on Park Avenue" exhibition.
Old Glory
Artist Mark di Suvero used red beams to create Old Glory, located at Cather Garden on UNL campus, to represent the flag when seen against a blue sky with clouds.Â
Pitch, Roll & Yaw
Pitch, Roll & Yaw, a new sculpture by Lincoln artist Shannon Hansen, is lifted into place at the entrance to the Lincoln Airport in July 2015. The piece, in the shape of a giant paper airplane, was made of formed and fabricated steel by Rivers Metal Products of Lincoln from Hansen's design. The $100,000 sculpture was commissioned by the city of Lincoln and paid for by Duncan Aviation. Another of Hansen's pieces, Discover, is at Union Plaza.
Watchful Citizen
Watchful Citizen was first produced as a small, desk-size casting called “Couch Potato†and later recreated life-size and renamed. It sits in the Haymarket at Seventh and P streets.
Mbera
The sculpture Mbera, at the center of the roundabout at 33rd Street and Sheridan Boulevard, was a gift from the Marc LeBaron family to the city of Lincoln several years ago.
Gettysburg Lincoln
The Gettysburg Lincoln, by Daniel Chester French, is at the Nebraska State Capitol, west entrance.
Clocktower
Union College's Clocktower is undoubtedly the tallest artwork in Lincoln.
Rebekah at the Well
Artist David Young tests the stream of water flowing from his bronze sculpture "Rebekah at the Well" during a private ceremony unveiling the sculpture at Sunken Gardens in 2005.Â
Sculpture of child
Sculpture of child is at the Lincoln Children's Museum, 1420 P St.
Groundwater Colossus
"Groundwater Colossus" is a focal point at the Union Plaza in Antelope Valley. The sculpture is a personification of the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest aquifers and most important natural resources in the nation. Designed by James Tyler of New York, the sculpture sits near the Jayne Snyder Trail Center near 21st and P streets.
Ascent Tower
Artist Jun Kaneko's glass tower, Ascent, is illuminated on Dec. 21, 2014, at the Lincoln Community Foundation Tower Square at 13th and P streets.Â
Tem and Ptah
Jene Highstein's Tem, will again be displayed on Centennial Mall along with its companion piece, Ptah.
Acklie Fountain
"Acklie Fountain" was a gift in honor of Duane and Phyllis Acklie by their children in 2006. It combines corn maiden faces from the original Cornhusker hotel and some flower-like ornaments from the old City Hall.
Iron Horse Legacy
Iron Horse Legacy (pictured in 2002) by Lincoln artist Jay Tschetter is located at Lincoln Station.Â
Floating Figure
Floating Figure, by Gaston Lachaise, is at Sheldon Sculpture Garden, UNL campus.
Vase with Five Flowers
James Surls' "Vase with Five Flowers," a bronze and stainless steel sculpture owned by local art collectors Karen and Robert Duncan, could be used in the center of the 14th and Superior streets roundabout. It is among artwork the Duncans will loan to the city for use in a public space.
Bench
Deb Bridges created this bench on the northeast corner of 12th and P Streets as part of the Slave Free Nebraska Public Heart Project.Â
Doorways to Hope, Garden of Faith, Hope and Love
"Garden of Faith, Hope, and Love" by Cathy Harrington is seen at Marcus Lincoln Grand Cinema as part of the Hildegard Center for the Arts' Doorways to Hope public art project in 2014.
Illuminating Lincoln
Artist Gina Egenberger's work, Incandescent Flight, is on display in front of the Lied Center for Performing Arts in November 2014. The public art project celebrated the 25th anniversary of Lighthouse.
Bicycle
Kenny Smetter (left) and Tanner Russell of Chet's Transfer nudge the 2003 Tour de Lincoln piece, "Balancing the Books," into place outside the Gere Branch Library in 2014.Â
Star Art
Liz Shea-McCoy, project director for Star Art — The Star City Art Project 2006, hangs out with her sculpture “Reach for the Stars.â€Â
Snowplow art
Ellen Wright, an environmental health educator with Public Works and Utilities, Miki Esposito, Public Works and Utilities director, promote the artistic snowplow project in December 2012.
Look Ma, No Hands
Look Ma, No Hands, by Kendrik, Helms, Helms & Raddatz, at Normal and A streets.Â
Noos
Dan Peragine's Noos stands in Beau Richmond Park at 27th and Holdrege streets.Â
Jay Tschetter mural
A mural by Jay Tschetter flanks the main entrance to the F Street Community Center.Â
Mural on Kiechel building
An improvised mural by Lincoln artist Spencer Pacheco is making its way around the Kiechel Fine Art Building, 1208 O St. The mural eventually covered two sides of the four-story building.
Solar Semaphore
Solar Semaphore by Jerome Kirk stands at 12th and O streets.Â
Double Spinner
Lyman Whitaker's Double Spinner creates an optical illusion of perpetual expansion when it is blown by the wind at the Pioneers Park Nature Center.Â
War and Victory sculpture
The War and Victory sculpture by Ellis Burman in Antelope Park.
Candy Box
Hundreds of people file past the "Candy Box," an art piece in the concourse at Pinnacle Bank Arena after the arena's ribbon cutting on Aug. 29, 2013.
Mountain Monarch
Mountain Monarch, by Rich Haines, stands at the Pioneers Park north entrance, off West Van Dorn Street. The sculpture is one of two at Pioneers Park that make the top 10 most valuable list of public art in Lincoln.
27th Street Hearth
27th Street Hearth by Michael Morgan at Elaine Hammer Bridge Plaza.
If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again sculpture
If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again sculpture in Witherbee Park.Â
Rarin' to Ride
Rarin' to Ride by George W. Lundeen in Woods Park.
Frog Baby
Frog Baby by Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons in Hamann Rose Garden.
Daydreams
Daydreams by Sondra L. Johnson in Cooper Park.
Standing Bear Sculpture
Sculptor Ben Victor (behind) watches as descendants of Chief Standing Bear help to unveil his sculpture on Centennial Mall. The sculpture is valued at $150,000.
Harvest sculpture
Harvest, a sculpture in front of Pinnacle Bank Arena at Canopy and R streets, was dedicated in 2016. The $972,000Â piece by Ed Carpenter was paid for using money set aside for artwork during the arena's original planning.Â
Four Seasons Terminals
One of the Four Seasons Terminals sculptures at Kontras Park.
Kneeling figure
The bronze statue, Kneeling Figure, by Bruno Lucchesi, was installed in the upper level of the Sunken Gardens in December 2019. Lucchesi also created Pieta which is part of the Sheldon Museum of Art Sculpture Garden on the UNL campus. Kneeling Figure was donated to the City by Fred Southwick, son of orthopedic surgeon and artist Wayne Southwick, who also created the sculpture Reveille and gifted it to the city. Wayne Southwick studied under Lucchesi and Kneeling Figure was part of the family’s collection until her recent relocation to Lincoln. Many thanks to Fred and the entire Southwick family for their generous donations to Lincoln’s public art collection.
Ako's Enso II
UNL East Campus
Baroque Cherub
Baroque Cherub
"Nautilus" sculpture installation
The sculpture "Nautilus," by Rico Eastman, was donated by Jane Rohman to the city of Lincoln public art collection and was installed in Union Plaza on Thursday.
Arietta II
Locate at the Sheldon Sculpture Garden on UNL City Campus.
Artist: Catherine Ferguson
Tilted Donut #7
The sculpture Tilted Donut #7 by artist Fletcher Benton, which was donated to the City of Lincoln by his estate, is now in place in Trago Park. The sculpture is easily viewed from Antelope Parkway, 22nd Street, and the pedestrian walkways and bike trails nearby. Art Makers Endowment funds helped pay for the transport of the work, enabling Public Art Lincoln and the City of Lincoln to accept this generous gift on behalf of the citizens of Lincoln.
Ascot
By Jeff Fauser, located at UNL East Campus.
Archie
Balanced / Unbalanced Wheels #2
Located in Sheldon Sculpture Garden, UNL City Campus. Artist: Flectcher Benton
Palo Alto I
Sculptor and artist John Buck unveils his public art installation, "Palo Alto 1", during a dedication ceremony in May 2016 in the Rotary Strolling Garden, 27th Street and Capitol Parkway. The pieces is valued at $72,000.Â
Dementia
"Dementia," a sculpture by Charles Ginnever, is now on loan to the city and on display on the north end of Holmes Park.
Bop and Crazed
Karen and Robert Duncan stand in front of sculptures titled “Bop†and “Crazed†created by Charles Ginnever.
Sluice Scythe & Wedgie
Jim Huntington's Wedgie greets visitors who drive into Densmore Park. The granite sculpture will be moved to 11th and G streets.
Our Community / Larger than Life
Located in downtown Lincoln. Artist:Â Larry Roots
Breach
Located at Sheldon Sculpture Garden, UNL City Campus. Artist: Roxy Paine
Bather
Clinton Elementary School fifth graders learn about the "Bather" by Jacques Lipchitz during a field trip at the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Liberty bell
Located at Antelope Park.Â
Nanticoke
Located in the Sheldon Sculpture Garden, UNL City Campus. Artist:Â Robert Murray
Bicentennial Cascade Fountain
Bicentennial Cascade Fountain in the Antelope Park Triangle at South 27th Street and Normal Boulevard.
Rotary Pavilion
Visitors often consider the dome of its Rotary Pavilion the "crown jewel" in the Sunken Gardens.
Greenpoint
Richard Serra's corten steel sculpture "Greenpoint," installed on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus in 1991 as an "environmental piece," stands 16 feet tall and weighs 40 tons.
Kaneko head sculptures
Two big sculptures by Nebraska artist Jun Kaneko now adorn the corner of Eighth and R streets in the Haymarket.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott Â
L. Kent Wolgamott
Entertainment reporter/columnist
