Welcome to the Lied!

39 Welcome to the Lied Center for Performing Arts web site. The Lied Center’s mission is to educate, inspire and entertain the people of Nebraska through the performing arts. For more than two decades, we have presented the greatest artists in the world ranging from Itzhak Perlman and Wynton Marsalis to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Joffrey Ballet. We offer something for everyone at the Lied, including the best of Broadway, symphony orchestra, dance, music, theatre and family programs. Please visit our coming events page to see the artist programs that await you. In addition to our events in Lincoln, visit our Arts Across Nebraska outreach page to learn about arts education and public performances across the Cornhusker state.

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.

Finally, if you are looking for a venue to hold a performing arts or special event, we have the finest theatre in Nebraska with over 2,000 seats, a flexible black box theatre (up to 250 seats) and several multi-purpose spaces perfect for receptions, dinners and special events. Visit our rental page for more information.

We hope to see you at the Lied very soon!

Best regards,

Bill Stephan
Executive Director 

Mission

Our mission is to educate, inspire and entertain the people of Nebraska through the performing arts.

Vision

Our vision is to transform the lives of the people of Nebraska through the performing arts by

  • Expanding the presentations of artists of great distinction representing all art forms and genres—both from Nebraska and around the world
  • Engaging people and communities from across Nebraska with exceptional experiences
  • Providing first-hand experiences for youth and college students
  • Revitalizing our facility and investing in our human resources to take the Lied to new stages of excellence
  • Creating new artistic works which contribute to the diverse culture of Nebraska and the world
  • Serving the state as an arts leader and collaborator to celebrate creativity, discovery and diversity

Values

We Value: Quality, Engagement, Integrity and Teamwork

  • Performances and programs of significance, excellence and distinction
  • Maintaining and enhancing the Lied Center as a premier performing arts venue
  • Freedom of artistic expression & celebrating the energy of individuality
  • Passion in the soul created by artistic adventures
  • Community engagement through opportunities for learning and participation
  • Teaching, research, technology and service
  • Serving as a catalyst for lifelong creativity and achievement
  • The transformative power of the arts
  • Conducting business with integrity
  • Prudent stewardship of human, financial and physical resources

NOTICE:

The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility and is known as Nebraska's Home for the Arts. The facility offers major regional, national and international events designed to attract a statewide audience. As well as offering the Lied Main Season, it opens its doors to rental events, including performances, meetings, tailgates and more. It also provides opportunities for Nebraska artists to perform, and a teaching/training laboratory for performing arts departments at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

For hosted rental events, the Lied Center has limited control over event-related activities, content, recording/reproduction, cancellation and refund policy.