During its premier event in recognizing individuals and organizations that shape Nebraska’s artistic landscape, on May 8, 2018, the Nebraska Arts Council held the biennial Governor’s Arts Awards to honor this year’s recipients. The council’s board presented the 2018 Leonard Thiessen Award to Rembolt Ludtke attorney Bob Nefsky for his extraordinary contributions to the arts for the state of Nebraska.
“I am honored to receive the Leonard Thiessen Award,” said Nefsky. “Support for the arts in Nebraska means support for the reasons people live in Nebraska and want to move here: education, community and economic development, and our unique culture. Although my achievements are small in comparison to others, particularly the past recipients of the Leonard Thiessen Award, the opportunity to work with wonderful people and important institutions has been a very satisfying part of my civic life.”
Over the past 40 years, Nefsky has served in leadership capacities in several organizations, including as a board member for the Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska. He was involved in the formation of the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska’s unique public-private partnership between the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska Arts Council, and Humanities Nebraska. He served the endowment as a founding director and a president. He also worked on the creation of the Nebraska Public Radio Network.
Some of Nefsky’s past volunteer and board work includes the Cooper Foundation, Bryan Enterprises, Inc., Museum of Nebraska Art, Sheldon Art Association, Camperships for Nebagamon, Inc., Jewish Federation of Lincoln, South Street Temple, and Friends of Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater.
The entire firm is proud of Bob for his lifelong commitment to enriching our state’s communities, and we congratulate him on this prestigious, well-deserved award.