HASTINGS, Neb. – The Business Improvement District and the City of Hastings is inviting the public to the second open house in a series to help shape the future of public art in downtown Hastings.

The public art plan open house will take place 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday evening, in Meeting Room A at the Hastings Public Library at 314 N. Denver Ave.

The city says the intent of this meeting will be to discuss the objectives and key components of the art plan as well as the development grant application.

The Heartbeat District was named a Nebraska Creative District in November 2024 and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant.

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.

With the $10,000 certification grant, the Partners Undertaking Local Solutions for Expression (PULSE) are exploring options to further the marketing efforts for downtown through the development of marketing materials, as well as the translation of the Creative District Strategic Plan.

Monday's meeting follows the first one on June 25, during which attendees learned about and provided feedback on potential project types and locations and priorities for the district.

The open house is the next step in a public involvement process that is anticipated to culminate with approval of the Heartbeat Creative District public art plan by the Hastings City Council in Spring 2026.

For more information, or to provide feedback go to the Heartbeat Creative District project on Engage Hastings at engage.cityofhastings.org/creative-district.