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The NEA Just Terminated Our Funding: A Personal Reflection on Censorship, Art, and Resilience
When our NEA grant was abruptly terminated, we were stunned—not just by the loss of funding, but by the language used to justify it. In this personal reflection, Executive Director Olga Smola draws on her Soviet upbringing to examine the chilling echoes of censorship, the importance of artistic freedom, and what’s at stake when politics invades the arts. Read how Nebraska Crossroads is responding—with resilience, music, and an unshakable belief in the power of creative expression.
2025 Season Announcement!
The 2025 Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival is here! From Arabic jazz to Nordic-folk, slam poetry to immersive soundscapes, this summer’s free, statewide festival features groundbreaking performances and a brand-new festival orchestra. Curated by Kinan Azmeh and rooted in community, creativity, and cultural exchange—explore what’s in store across Lincoln and Omaha.
Three albums you should listen to this month – March
From Jon Batiste’s playful jazz take on Beethoven to BITOI’s mesmerizing fusion of bass and birdsong, and Matt B.’s orchestral tribute to African heritage, these albums are defy simple classification. We’re sure you’ll relish this multi-course sonic smorgasbord as much as we have.
Dream Warriors Project Part 1
Behind the scenes at the 2024 Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, Indigenous hip-hop collective Dream Warriors and Swedish producers Fredrik Serholt and Paulina Délin came together for the first time to create new music. Joined by visual artist Sarah Rowe, the group crafted five original tracks and artwork in just a few days — a powerful testament to creativity, trust, and collaboration.
Hal France Joins Festival Team as Production Director
Acclaimed conductor and arts administrator Hal France joins the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival as Production Director. Known for his leadership with the Orlando Philharmonic and Omaha Opera, Hal brings a wealth of experience to shape the festival’s future and strengthen community partnerships across Nebraska.
Backstage Stories – Part 1: Humberto Gonzales and a Taste of Buena Vista Social Club in the Midwest
From the global stages of Buena Vista Social Club to the quiet streets of Marshalltown, Iowa, Humberto Garcia Raul Gonzales’ journey is a story of resilience, passion, and rediscovery. This is a story about the hidden talent in our communities—and how a little support can help extraordinary artists find their way back to the spotlight.