Kennedy Center president Kaiser at Lied Center to address 'Arts in Crisis'

Kennedy Center president Michael M. Kaiser will host a community conversation 9-11:30 a.m. May 5 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Arts as part of a national tour titled "Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative."

Kaiser will address the challenges facing many nonprofit arts organizations in the areas of fund raising, building effective boards, budgeting and marketing. Designed by Kaiser and Kennedy Center staff, "Arts in Crisis" was initiated in February 2009 to provide free mentoring to arts groups large and small looking to successfully navigate through the current economic crisis.

Since the initiative's launch, the Kennedy Center has hosted more than 45 symposia and arts community conversations in diverse cities and communities across the country, including Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo., Bismarck, N.D., Santa Fe, N.M., San Francisco, Madison, Wis., Cleveland, Kalamazoo, Mich., Philadelphia, Pierre, S.D., New York City and now at the Lied Center, 301 N. 12th St. [map].

"Each locality is dealing with its unique and specific challenges, and there is no better way to understand each region than through in-person visits," Kaiser said. "Communicating in person allows us to be more effective in advising organizations in need."

The Nebraska tour activities include a meet-and-greet session 9-9:45 a.m. with the community conversation beginning at 10. William Stibor of NET Radio will serves as interviewer and host.

Admission is free and members of arts organizations across Nebraska are invited to attend. This program is sponsored locally by the Lied Center, the Nebraska Arts Council, the Lincoln Arts Council and Nebraskans for the Arts. For more information about this event or to register, e-mail kaiser@artscene.org (include your name, title, organization, e-mail address and cell phone number). If you have questions, call the Lincoln Arts Council at (402) 434-2787.

"Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative" is open to any nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts organization. It provides free and confidential planning assistance in areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization in a troubled economy. The program is currently working with almost 500 organizations in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. More than 120 experienced arts leaders from across the country are volunteering their time to serve as mentors to organizations in need. More information can be found at www.artsincrisis.org. "Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative" is funded by Helen Lee Henderson and Adrienne Arsht.

WRITER: Suzanne Wise, Executive Director, Nebraska Arts Council, (800) 341-4067