Lied Center for the Performing Arts
Ernst F. Lied was born in Omaha and was a 1927 graduate of the University of Nebraska. Upon his death in 1980, Christina Hixson was appointed executrix of his estate and she still serves as a Lied Foundation trustee. In the spirit of her dedication to education and the arts, Ms. Hixson continues to provide exceptional support for the Lied Center, the University of Nebraska and many projects throughout the state of Nebraska.
Beginning with the first event, Opera Omaha's production of Madama Butterfly, and for the next 20 years, it has been our mission to present the finest performing artists on our stages. Joining the ranks of others whose passion for the arts and dreams of a worthy arts center was the man who served as both the University of Nebraska President and University of Nebraska Foundation President, D.B. "Woody" Varner. His service resulted in years of awareness for the building and fundraising.
Sheila Griffin, the first Lied Project Director, and E.N. "Jack" Thompson joined Woody in leading the effort toward success. A challenge grant from the Lied Foundation Trust was successfully matched with gifts from UNL alumni and friends. Matching gifts or grants from 71 corporations and a generous allocation from the Nebraska Unicameral completed the fundraising campaign prior to construction in 1986.
Beyond the stage, the Lied Center is committed to transforming lives through the power of the arts. In addition to stage performances, most artists who are featured at the Lied work with University of Nebraska students, area youth or the open community during their engagement period. A small example of a few past outreaches include Yo-Yo Ma and Wynton Marsalis inspiring UNL School of Music students, Susan Werner sharing hundreds of harmonicas with Nebraska youth and Kennedy Center artists engaging with families who have hearing disabilities. Our education programs range from one-hour workshops to multiple day in-depth residencies where participants engage at deep levels of learning and transformation. We believe in the power of the arts in the class room. Our arts in schools program brings artists into dozens of Nebraska class rooms so that students have the opportunity to reach new levels of achievement in both the arts and core subject matter.
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