Auburn Creative District Awarded $100,000 Nebraska Arts Council Grant

Leslie Clark, director of Auburn’s Creative District explained that the grant begins July 1, 2026, and does not require a local match or the use of city funds. The funding is available only to Certified Creative Districts and is designed to support arts, culture, placemaking and community development.
Three initiatives in Auburn will be supported through funds
One project will add 13 honeybee sculptures throughout the Creative District, creating a Sculpture Walk that encourages residents and visitors to explore the area while discovering unique artist-designed bees. A public call to artists will be announced for the sculptures.
Auburn’s connection to the honeybee dates back to 1973 when Louise Howe and her third-grade class at Auburn Public Schools’ Calvert Elementary led the effort that resulted in the honeybee being named Nebraska’s state insect.
The grant will also fund a commissioned sculpture by a Nebraska artist honoring local veterans.
Additional funding will support enhancements to Auburn’s Honeybee Festival over the next two years. The festival features music, art, educational exhibits and family-friendly activities celebrating the role pollinators play in agriculture and everyday life. This year’s event will be held Saturday, Sept. 12.
Auburn’s Creative District was designated in 2024 through a partnership between the City of Auburn, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Grow Auburn and the Nemaha Valley Museum.
“This grant allows us to continue building on the momentum we’re seeing in Auburn,” said Clark. “It supports new public art, strengthens our Honeybee Festival and creates more opportunities for people to experience what makes our community special.”
Planning for the projects will begin in the coming months, with updates to be shared as they move forward.