The LUX Center for the Arts honored 43 students from 22 Lincoln Public Schools with scholarships during its Tenth Annual Art Scholar Ceremony, held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at O’Donnell Auditorium at Nebraska Wesleyan University. The event celebrated young artists selected by their art educators for their talent, dedication, and passion for the arts.

Each student received a $550 tuition scholarship through the LUX Art Scholar Program, which provides access to LUX summer art camps, classes, and workshops throughout the year. The program is designed to encourage creative exploration, skill development, and long-term artistic growth.

The 2026 LUX Art Scholar Program is made possible through the generous support of the Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation and the Pace Woods Foundation. Representatives from the foundations joined LUX Executive Director Joe Shaw in presenting certificates to the scholarship recipients in front of family members, friends, and community supporters.

"I was happy to attend the Art Scholar Ceremony on behalf of the Pace Woods Foundation," said Fred Hoppe. "Sponsorship of scholarships to art classes for two students from each of the schools in lower economic advantaged areas meets two of the Foundations priorities – the arts and youth. We hope the scholarships are an opportunity for worthy and deserving Lincoln youth folks to explore their talent. In handing out the scholarships I observed the excitement of the recipients for the opportunity and it was gratifying."

Now in its tenth year, the LUX Art Scholar Program began with just 12 recipients and has grown steadily as a proactive effort to expand access to high-quality arts education. Scholarship recipients are nominated by Lincoln Public Schools art educators, who are asked to identify students demonstrating both artistic promise and a strong desire to pursue creative learning beyond the classroom.