Heartbeat Creative District, (City of Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — The Heartbeat Creative District was recently awarded a $100,000 Creative District Development Grant for painted crosswalks on First Street in downtown; as well as sculptures and a mid-block crossing at the Hastings Public Library’s greenspace.
The Nebraska Arts Council informed the City of Hastings about the grant funding on Thursday, March 5, 2026. This is the first step in implementing the Creative District’s Public Art Plan & Strategic Plan.
“We are excited to have received this funding to be able to implement the ideas that community members have expressed to us in our Public Art Plan,” City Planner Ember Batelaan said. “Without funding, these ideas wouldn’t come to fruition.”
The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.
Also known as the Hastings Art & Beat District, the Heartbeat District encompasses the historic downtown area and is bounded by Burlington Avenue, Eastside Boulevard, Seventh Street and the BNSF Railway. The Heartbeat District was certified as a creative district in November 2024 and joined a statewide network of creative districts led by the Nebraska Arts Council.
New this year, the Heartbeat Creative District is also open to receiving donations during Give Hastings Day through the Hastings Community Foundation.
In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.
As part of the approval process, the Heartbeat Creative District submitted a letter of interest, an Eligibility Assessment, and a Strategic Plan.
Goals for the Heartbeat Creative District include the following:
1. Rules & Responsibilities
2. Marketing
3. Artistic/Creative Projects
4. Annual Events
5. District Cohesiveness
6. Pedestrian Experience
The public is invited to attend the next quarterly meeting of the PULSE group 4-5 p.m., Tuesday March 24 at the Schnase 1906 District building, 620 W. Second St.
For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/ or call the office at (402) 595-2122. For more information about the Heartbeat District, please visit the Engage Hastings website at engage.cityofhastings.org/creative-district .
