Artist residencies are the engine behind Crossroads’ most ambitious work. They create the conditions for artists to slow down, listen, experiment, and build trust—across disciplines, cultures, and musical traditions. At Crossroads, residencies are not add-ons to performances; they are where new projects take shape.
By supporting residencies, funders invest in creation rather than presentation: time for rehearsal and exchange, space for ideas to evolve, and the relationships that allow exceptional artists to make something they could not make alone. The result is lasting impact—new collaborations, new repertoire, touring projects, recordings, and multi-disciplinary work that extends far beyond a single festival week.
Past examples include a set of new work created by Maeve Gilchrist and Séamus Egan (2023); the internationally-touring La Folia Project (2023-2027); and the Dream Warriors Project (2024-2027).
Full residency funding: covers all costs of the 2026 Dream Warriors Residency (July 21–25)—artist fees, travel, lodging, studio equipment, and space rental.
Dedicated creation time: enables focused, in-person collaboration and artistic development.
Project advancement: accelerates the multimedia exhibition and future touring production.
This level reflects the complete cost of producing the 2026 Dream Warriors Residency in Lincoln and Omaha.
Recognition & Access: Host a private preview of material developed during the residency; Recognized as Core Partner as the final work tours nationally and internationally; Access to one working day of the residency;
Name/logo on Omaha Showcase big screen; Prominent website visibility; 10 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; 10 invitations to Pre-Festival VIP Event (Omaha); Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Full-spread ad (2 pages); Prominent donor listing.
Full residency support: covers the complete cost of the Jewel Rodgers–Fredrik Serholt residency (July 29–Aug. 4), including artist fees, travel, lodging, and studio space.
New work created: enables the development of original songs that weave spoken word, music, and orchestral vision.
From poem to orchestra: supports the shaping of new material that will expand into fully orchestrated works for future performance.
This level reflects the full cost of producing the July 29–Aug. 4 residency in Lincoln, directly supporting the creation of new interdisciplinary work.
Recognition & Hospitality: Host a private preview of material developed during the residency; Recognized as Residency Sponsor on the final artistic creation as it is performed and shared nationally; Access to one working day of the residency;
Placement on Gene Leahy Mall big screen during Omaha Showcase; Prominent logo/name with link on website; 6 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; 6 invitations to Pre-Festival VIP Event (Omaha); Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Full-page ad; Prominent donor listing.
Artist fees funded: covers the full compensation for the Dream Warriors artists during the 2026 residency.
Creation time protected: enables focused, uninterrupted artistic work and collaboration.
Work brought into being: supports the actual composition, visual development, and creative shaping of the project.
This level reflects the cost of compensating the artists for the July 21–25 Dream Warriors Residency, directly supporting the creation of new work.
Residency Access: Recognized as a Catalyst on the final artistic creation as it travels nationally and internationally; Access to one working day of the residency to observe the artistic process.
Recognition & Hospitality: Placement on Gene Leahy Mall big screen during Omaha Showcase; Prominent logo/name with link on website; 6 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; 6 invitations to Pre-Festival VIP Event (Omaha); Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Full-page ad; Prominent donor listing.
Artist creation funded: supports the songwriting and compositional work of Jewel Rodgers and Fredrik Serholt during the July 29–Aug. 4 residency.
Spoken word to song: enables the development of new works blending poetry, music, and narrative voice. Get a sneak peek at the first rough mix HERE
Orchestral expansion: advances material that will grow into fully orchestrated compositions.
This level reflects the artist compensation and core creative work of the residency.
Recognition & Hospitality: Host a talk with the Residency Artists; Recognized as Artistic Creation Sponsor on the final works as they are performed and shared; Access to one working day of the residency;
Placement on Gene Leahy Mall big screen during Omaha Showcase; Prominent logo/name with link on website; 4 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; 4 invitations to Pre-Festival VIP Event (Omaha); Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Half-page ad; Prominent donor listing
Creative infrastructure: covers space rental, studio equipment, and essential technical needs for the July 21–25 residency.
Tools for creation: funds the materials and setup required for music, digital, and visual development.
Stable framework: builds the environment that allows the artists to work without distraction.
This level reflects the production and material costs that make the 2026 Dream Warriors Residency operationally possible.
Residency Access: Access to one working day of the residency to observe the artistic process.
Recognition & Hospitality: Placement on Gene Leahy Mall big screen during Omaha Showcase; Prominent logo/name with link on website; Listed on the festival “About” page; Recognized on the final artistic creation as it travels nationally and internationally; 2 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; 2 invitations to Pre-Festival VIP Event (Omaha); Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Quarter-page ad; Prominent donor listing.
Studio time funded: supports rental of rehearsal and recording space during the July 29–Aug. 4 residency.
Technical setup covered: funds microphones, audio equipment, and essential production needs.
Creative sessions sustained: helps provide the working conditions that allow new songs to move from draft to orchestral concept. Get a sneak peek at the first rough mix HERE
This level reflects essential space, equipment, and production costs required to make the residency function.
Recognition & Hospitality: Recognized as Production Sponsor of the Jewel Rodgers–Fredrik Serholt Residency and on any other iterations of the work in the future.
Listed on the festival “About” page; Name/logo with link on website; 2 hospitality packages (food and drink vouchers) for Omaha Showcase (July 25) with reserved seating; Invitation to informal Artist Party (Lincoln); Program Booklet: Donor listing.
Donate HERE with a secure credit card transaction, or call Executive Director Olga Smola at (402) 450-7978; or email at osmola@NebraskaMusicFest.org
Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival
4005 Davenport St.
Omaha, NE 68131-2325
Checks can be made out to the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival
Ensure that you make the most of your tax-beneficial DAF by recommending a gift to the Festival.
Our non-profit EIN number is 83-3364344
Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival accepts publicly traded stocks and securities. To give a gift of appreciated stock free of capital gains tax, please contact Olga Smola to obtain the detailed instructions. Please note that it is important to notify the Festival prior to any stock transfer in order for us to properly identify and acknowledge your gift.
Olga Smola, Executive Director: osmola@NebraskaMusicFest.org // 402 450 7978
To maximize your gift, contact your HR department to determine if your company participates in a matching gifts program. Your matching gift may qualify you to receive additional Festival benefits.
Support Crossroads through convenient and flexible quarterly or monthly credit card installments. Please contact Olga Smola to set up your gift or set it up directly at GiveButter: https://givebutter.com/Crossroads_2024
Olga Smola, Executive Director: osmola@NebraskaMusicFest.org // 402 450 9798
If you are age 70½ or above, you are qualified to make a meaningful, tax-free gift through an IRA charitable rollover, as part of the required minimum distribution.
Our non-profit EIN number is 83-3364344
Celebrate or remember the life of someone special with a contribution to the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival. Honorary and memorial gifts are a wonderful way to celebrate a loved one’s enthusiasm for the performing arts and cultural expression. You will receive a tax receipt and the Festival can notify the honoree or the honoree’s family members of your thoughtful contribution (upon request). The amount of your donation will be kept confidential.
Mic Jordan – Hip-hop Artist and member of Dream Warriors
Level
Investment
What you make possible
Recognition
No program booklet available.