In January 2000, Christina M. Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust announced a gift of $18 million to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's College of Fine and Performing Arts. The endowment, named the Christina M. Hixson-Lied Foundation Trust Endowment for the College of Fine and Performing Arts, benefits all areas of the college.
The fund’s income provides support for Students, which includes scholarships, fellowships and grants for scholarly/creative projects and travel; Faculty; and Programs. Programs include both those in the college and the college’s affiliated organizations, which include the Lied Center for Performing Arts, Sheldon Museum of Art, Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center and the Nebraska Repertory Theatre.
Since 2002, the Hixson-Lied Endowment has distributed more than $7.5 million in grants to our programs, faculty and students, with a total impact of more than $14.4 million.
Funded Programs Include:
Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series
The School of Art, Art History & Design’s Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series brings notable artists, scholars and designers to Nebraska each semester to enhance the education of students. Underwritten by the Hixson-Lied Endowment with additional support from other sources, the series enriches the culture of the state by providing a way for Nebraskans to interact with luminaries in the fields of art, art history and design. Each visiting artist or scholar spends one to three days on campus to meet with classes, participate in critiques and give demonstrations. Recent Hixson-Lied visiting artists and scholars have included Photographer Raymond Meeks: Visual Effects Supervisor Trent Claus; and artist Mark Dion.
Carson School’s Study at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film students have an opportunity to study internationally biennially at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, England, thanks in part to support from the Hixson-Lied Endowment. Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare’s Globe is an international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education.
Glenn Korff School of Music University Singers at Carnegie Hall
The University Singers, the Glenn Korff School of Music’s flagship choral ensemble, traveled to New York City in March 2016 to perform at Carnegie Hall. The trip was made with support from the Hixson-Lied Endowment. “There’s something magical about Carnegie Hall, as well, and it has to do with the fact that some of the most famous musicians in the world walked that stage, and it breaks all the rules for acoustics,” said Dr. Peter Eklund, the director of University Singers.
Student
Student Grants
- for undergraduate and graduate students
- awarded annually and competitively based on peer-review by the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Advisory Boards
- for opportunities to:
- study in the U.S. or abroad
- present scholarly/creative work
- create work that would otherwise be difficult to produce due to cost
Hixson-Lied Graduate Fellowships
- for up to 32 new graduate students in each academic unit in the College
- applicants undergo rigorous evaluation by members of the graduate faculty
- criteria include:
- evidence of outstanding past achievement and
- potential for excellence in scholarship and creative activity at the highest level
- awards from $3,500 to $4,500, in addition to the graduate assistant stipends already provided by the University.
Hixson-Lied Undergraduate Scholarships
- for incoming in-state or out-of-state Freshman students, as well as for transfer students new to UNL
- merit/talent-based, awarded for two years, non-renewable
- up to 30 scholarships awarded annually
- current award amounts are $2,000 for in-state and $5,500 for out-of-state students per year
Faculty
Faculty Grants
- for faculty who are creating or presenting work that brings national and/or international attention to the College and the creative and scholarly work of the faculty
- several annual grants, including:
- Research/Creative Activity Grants
- Presentation of Scholarly and Creative Activity Grants
- Development Travel Grants
Faculty and Staff Awards
- 11 annual awards
- recognizing outstanding performance and accomplishments in:
- teaching
- research and creative activity
- faculty service
- outreach and engagement
- and staff service to the College and University
Hixson-Lied Professorships
- $3,000 annual award
- eligibility:
- tenured faculty at the rank of Associate or Full Professor who do not already hold a named professorship
- who have demonstrated exceptional overall performance over an extended time frame
- and whose accomplishments have gained significant recognition beyond the University
Hixson-Lied Advisory Board
The Hixson-Lied Advisory Board was created to review and react to proposals for funding support from the Hixson-Lied Endowment to benefit the College and its affiliated organizations. The board encourages proposals that will truly advance excellence in the College and enhance its national reputation. Additionally, the board is involved in overseeing the investment of the endowed funds in cooperation with the University of Nebraska Foundation's Finance Committee.