HISTORIC DUNDEE IS RECOGNIZED AS AN OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED NEBRASKA CREATIVE DISTRICT
March 2026
Historic Dundee Creative District Awarded $100,000 Nebraska Arts Council Grant to Expand Local Arts Initiatives
The Historic Dundee Creative Arts District is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council to support local creative initiatives and further strengthen Dundee’s identity as a vibrant hub for arts and culture.
This funding builds on Dundee’s recent designation as a certified Nebraska Creative District and reflects the continued momentum of a community-driven effort to elevate the arts as a catalyst for connection, placemaking, and economic vitality in the neighborhood.
Over the past year, the Dundee Creative District Committee worked closely with community members, the Dundee Memorial Park Association, the Dundee Merchants Association, and Amplify Arts to gather input and determine the most impactful use of these funds. Through community meetings and collaboration, several key initiatives emerged that will expand creative opportunities while enhancing walkability and engagement throughout the district.
Grant funding will support several projects, including the Dundee Drive Art Stop, a public art initiative designed to encourage walkability and connectivity between the Dodge Street and Underwood Avenue districts. The funding will also support expanded arts programming for Dundee Day, along with the continuation and growth of Third Saturdays: Music in Dundee, which brings local musicians and performers to the neighborhood from April through October.
“These initiatives reflect the vision our community has shared for the Dundee Creative District, one that celebrates local artists, strengthens neighborhood connections, and invites people to experience Dundee in new and creative ways,” said members of the Dundee Creative District Committee.
Through this investment, the Historic Dundee Creative Arts District will continue to build partnerships with local artists, businesses, and residents while expanding public art, programming, and creative placemaking efforts that make Dundee a destination for arts and culture in Omaha.
Summer 2025
Historic Dundee was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.
The Historic Dundee Creative District will work to foster creativity, promote walkability, and enhance Dundee's legacy as a vibrant hub for artistic expression. In celebration of the designation, there will be a free interactive arts activity for all ages offered at the annual Dundee Day Street Festival on Saturday, August 23rd.
“Our vision for the Dundee Creative District Arts is one of inclusivity, collaboration, physical connectivity and celebration of the arts. We are excited about the positive impact this initiative will have on our community,” said Eric Kaplan, Committee Member and Dundee Day Executive Director.
“As a historical and creative neighborhood, we believe that our community is well-suited to embrace the Creative District program and further enhance our artistic offerings and local community connectivity,” said Kaplan.
The committee held four Town Hall Meetings in early 2025 for community input and discussion of creative arts in Dundee. Over 150 individuals attended the four two-hour sessions at Film Streams Theater.
The Historic Dundee Creative District will use the grant funding in several ways:
1. Bring Local Musicians and other creative buskers to 50th & Underwood Ave every 3rd Saturday from July to October 2025.
2. Build Arts Education Programming to Dundee Day 2026
3. Expand Public Art in the district
As a result of the designation, Historic Dundee Creative District will be featured in Nebraska Tourism promotions and marketing initiatives at the local and national level.
The Dundee Creative District Committee (DCDC) volunteers include: Amanda Failla-Tjarks, Albany and Avers, Alex O’Hanlon, OneOmaha, Becky App, eCreamery Ice Cream, Clare Watson Bartolomei, Lola’s, Crystal Hartford, Film Streams, Eric Kaplan, Dundee Day Executive Director, Maggie Wood, Film Streams, Molly Romero, Dundee Memorial Park Neighborhood President, Tim Reeder, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate & Preserve Omaha.
“This leadership team has worked for many months to get input from residents and other stakeholders to help forge a plan to create economically sustainable opportunities for area artists and businesses. Creation of the Historic Dundee Creative District will build on the neighborhood's already-strong energy in several ways. The district will foster new partnerships between businesses and local creatives, improving economic development, community involvement, improving walkability through creative placemaking, and attracting more visitors to Dundee businesses,” said City Councilman Pete Festersen.
In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.
Nebraska Creative Districts must submit a letter of interest, an Eligibility Assessment, and a Strategic Plan as part of the approval process. Goals can include attracting artists and creative enterprises, 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.
Other Nebraska Arts Districts include: Benson, Cathedral & Joslyn Castle District, University Place (Lincoln), Ashland, Fremont, McCook, Columbus, Beatrice, Norfolk, Nebraska City, Scottsbluff
For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/ or call the office at 402-595-2122.
Download the press release here.
