UNO Receives First National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant

Highlights

• The NEA is an independent federal agency that strives to increase access to the arts and arts education for everyone in the U.S.

• The project team will use their research time with Lakota culture bearers to create music and educational materials, which educators can then use in the classroom.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has received its first ever grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The NEA grant will fund an upcoming project through UNO’s School of Music, providing the opportunity for educators and culture bearers to collaborate on bringing Lakota culture and music to K-12 students.

Katrina Cox, UNO professor of music education, worked on securing the grant award and will facilitate the upcoming project. She and UNO professor Shelly Cooper will collaborate with Cindy Krafka of the Sicangu and Skye Junginger of the Santee, along with composer Braeden Ayres, on how to comprehensively and respectfully teach students about the traditions and art of the Lakota.

“There is a need to have accessible music that educators have the resources to teach well and with input from the people of that culture,” said Cox. “Historically, music has often been collected and published in textbooks or scores without adequate amounts of contextual information, or even proof of culture bearer participation and consent. Our profession wants to see this change and the shift is happening, but it takes time, effort, and vulnerability from all those involved. We aren’t just collecting music to be performed, but requesting invitations to learn from and participate alongside culture bearers in what they wish to share.”

When presented with these issues, teachers shared how it can be difficult to create new lesson plans when they lack the time and resources to do the necessary research and cultural consultation.

To address this, the project team will use their research time with Lakota culture bearers to create music and educational materials, which educators can then use in the classroom. The team plans to compose two or three songs, one of which will be funded by UNO.

“We are going to work with teachers and show them the materials we have, teach them the music, and let them make adjustments and modifications. Then, they can feel confident in their ability to teach but also facilitate the culture and the experience,” said Cox.

The NEA is an independent federal agency that strives to increase access to the arts and arts education for everyone in the U.S. Through its grant funding and promotion, more communities can participate in and benefit from creative opportunities.