A One-Year Budget Solution, A Multi-Generation Loss
Nebraska is considering removing $15 million from its Cultural Endowment — a long-term public trust built over decades — to cover just 0.27% of one year’s state budget. This post explains what’s at stake, why endowments exist, and how a short-term budget decision could quietly reshape access to arts, education, and cultural life across generations.
Crossroads Receives Artistic Innovations Grant
Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival has received an Artistic Innovations Grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance to support the Dream Warriors Experience, a multimedia Indigenous arts project.
Thank you for a great 2025!
See the highlights of the 2025 Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival in this heartfelt retrospective from Artistic Director Erik Higgins.
Interview with Guest Curator Kinan Azmeh
In this heartfelt conversation, guest curator Kinan Azmeh shares how friendship, cultural connection, and musical curiosity shape the 2025 Crossroads Festival.
Hasan’s Story, Part 1
Hasan Khalil’s journey from an Iraqi refugee camp to beloved Lincoln barber, musician, and community voice takes center stage in the new documentary “Cultures in the Crossfade.” The film—and the post-screening jam with hardcore drummer Tye—shows how two unlikely friends use music to shrink cultural divides and offer Lincoln as a model for the nation.
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.